[American Chemical Society](https://www.acs.org)

September 30, 2026

$500 per mini-grant; one-time award per application cycle

Supports ACS local sections to host community Science Café events promoting dialogue between scientists and nonscientists.

--- ## Description The Science Café Mini-Grant, administered by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Local Section Activities, provides funding to ACS local sections to organize Science Café events. These events are designed to foster relaxed, open discussions on current scientific topics between scientists and the general public, with the goal of promoting scientific literacy and community engagement. Science Cafés typically take place in informal venues such as coffee shops, bookstores, or restaurants, and revolve around a speaker or panel sparking conversation on a topic of public interest. --- ## Due Dates - September 30, 2026: Science Café Mini-Grant application deadline --- ## Funding Amount - Each grant provides a one-time award of $500 to support the organization and promotion of a Science Café event. - Funding can be used for speaker travel, venue costs, promotional materials, and other event-related expenses. --- ## Eligibility - Only ACS Local Sections are eligible to apply. - The applicant must be the Local Section Chair or have a letter of support from the Chair (or another Executive Committee member if the Chair is the applicant). - If the section received a Science Café Mini-Grant for a previous event, a summary report must be submitted before applying again. - The event must be open to the public and focused on fostering dialogue between scientists and nonscientists. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted online via the [ACS grant application portal](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a5ca1b836a7649a882cc76640df6eb67) by the deadline. - Required documents include: - A letter of support from the Local Section Chair (or Executive Committee member if the Chair is the applicant) - A detailed event budget - (If applicable) Letter of support from any co-sponsoring organization - Applicants are encouraged to use [grant application templates](https://americanchemicalsociety-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/w_meruvia_acs_org/Ek3Y-5YEjmJDlL4XFlqGa-gBoHvTfjXIb34wbIeG-hr5Ug?e=hDhgfh) to prepare their responses before submitting online. - If awarded, a [summary report](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1cf9368606d54c878fda6a7268fbc71f) must be submitted after the event before the section can apply for future Science Café Mini-Grants. --- ## Additional Information - Science Café topics can range widely, including energy, climate change, health, food chemistry, recent scientific discoveries, and more. - The ACS provides extensive [guidance and resources](https://www.acs.org/officer-toolkit/engage-your-members/science-cafes.html) for planning, budgeting, promoting, and evaluating Science Café events. - Events are expected to be welcoming, accessible, and designed to engage a broad public audience. --- ## External Links - [ACS Science Café Mini-Grant Program Page](https://www.acs.org/funding/grants/science-cafe-mini-grant.html) - [Online Application Form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a5ca1b836a7649a882cc76640df6eb67) - [Application Templates](https://americanchemicalsociety-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/w_meruvia_acs_org/Ek3Y-5YEjmJDlL4XFlqGa-gBoHvTfjXIb34wbIeG-hr5Ug?e=hDhgfh) - [Science Cafés Planning Toolkit](https://www.acs.org/officer-toolkit/engage-your-members/science-cafes.html) - [Summary Report Submission Form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1cf9368606d54c878fda6a7268fbc71f) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | More Info | |------------------------|------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------------------| | ACS LSAC Grants Team | lsac@acs.org | +1 800-227-5558 | [Contact Page](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) |

Science Café Mini-Grant - American Chemical Society

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