The Prize is awarded every two years to a person, a group of people or an international institution that has contributed to the development of knowledge and society through art, teaching, and research in social sciences and humanities. It strives to promote pioneering initiatives that contribute to the development, diffusion, and consolidation of the values of humanity. It also highlights the close links between UNESCO and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Candidates are required to have made an outstanding contribution to the development of knowledge and society through art, teaching and research in the social sciences and humanities.