Deadlines
- Northeastern: 03/01/2023
- Fellowship: 03/01/2023
Contact
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in applying for this fellowship, please fill out a preliminary questionnaire. You may contact the office with any questions.
Award Details
The American Chemical Society Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to undergraduate students who 1) are from groups that have been historically underrepresented in the chemical sciences, 2) are majoring in chemistry-related disciplines, and 3) intend to pursue chemistry-related careers. The award provides renewable funding of between $1,000 and $5,000 per academic year.
The ACS Scholars Program is open to:
- U.S. citizens or a legal permanent U.S. residents (please inquire via email if you have questions regarding asylum or DACA status)
- African descent or Black, Hispanic or Latina/Latino/Latinx, or Indigenous (e.g. Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Alaskan Native) (please see below for more details)
- Graduating high school seniors or college freshmen, sophomores or juniors. Seniors can apply for their fifth year.
- Those intending to major or are already majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or another chemistry-related science AND planning to pursue a career in a chemistry-related science as well (please see below for more details)
- Full-time students at a high school or an accredited college, university, or community college
- Those demonstrating high academic achievement in chemistry or science (Grade Point Average 3.0 or higher)
In the application you should select the race/ethnicity that you MOST identify with; use the “Other” field to provide more context (for example your tribe, family’s country of origin if you know it, or other races you are mixed with)
- Hispanic or Latina/Latino/Latinx — A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American culture or origin, regardless of race
- Indigenous — A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America, and who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition
- Native Hawaiian or Native Pacific Islander — A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands that are U.S. territories
- African decent or Black — A person having origins in any of the black, indigenous, racial groups of Africa
- More than one race – A person having origins in more than one of the above racial categories.
Definitions have been adapted from the NSF National Center for Science and Engineering Statistical Tables NSF 15-321 published in May 2015 and Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering, NSF 17-310 published in January 2017.
Data on graduation rates can be found at the National Science Foundation website (https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/degreerecipients/). (Science and Engineering Degrees, by Race/Ethnicity of Recipients: 2002-12; Detailed Statistical Tables | NSF 15-321 | May 2015).
Examples of eligible majors:
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Technology
- Materials Science
- Petroleum Engineering
- Environmental Science/Engineering (chemistry-based)*
- Biomedical Engineering (chemistry-based)*
- Forensic Science/Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Food Science (not nutrition)
- Paper and Pulp Technology
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Agricultural Chemistry
- Nanotechnology or Nano Science
- Ceramic Science / Chemistry / Technology
- Industrial Chemistry
Examples of eligible career goals:
- Chemist
- Biochemist
- Chemical Engineer
- Chemical Technician
- Forensic Chemist / Investigator
- Chemistry / Biochemistry / Chemical Engineering Teacher / Professor
- Patent Lawyer
- Science Journalist
- MD/PhD (research physician)**
**Please note that students intending to enter Pre-Med programs or pursuing a degree in Pharmacy or Nursing are NOT eligible for this scholarship.
*Majors that are starred or otherwise not listed above should have the four following core chemistry courses included in your course curriculum (required coursework for your major) in order for it to be approved. Please submit a copy of your course curriculum via email to scholars@acs.org after you have started or submitted your online application:
- General Chemistry (sometimes referred to as beginner Inorganic Chemistry)
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry (or Thermodynamics)
- Analytical Chemistry (or Quantitative Analysis)
The Selection Committee includes professionals in academia and the chemical industry, and some ACS Scholar Alumni. This committee reviews all completed, eligible applications to determine the best overall candidates. The highest-rated students are selected as scholarship recipients. Scholarships are awarded based on academic record, career objective, leadership ability, participation in school activities and/or academic research, and community service.
The amount of each individual award depends upon the availability of funding, the number of scholarships awarded, and evidence of financial need. Scholarship recipients receive between $1,000 and $5,000 per academic year. Scholarship awards are renewable as long as Scholars maintain academic performance requirements.
The amount of each individual award depends upon the availability of funding, the number of scholarships awarded, and evidence of financial need. Scholarship recipients receive between $1,000 and $5,000 per academic year. Scholarship awards are renewable as long as Scholars maintain academic performance requirements.
For detailed information on the application procedure, please click here.
Interested? Have Questions?
If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in a fellowship or opportunity, please fill out a preliminary questionnaire. Contact the office with any questions: