ACS Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution
ACS Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution supports chemistry faculty and their institutions, recognizing sustained research that advances chemistry and undergraduates’ professional development.
Funder: American Chemical Society
Due Dates: August 5, 2026 (Nominations open) | December 5, 2026 (Nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 award, up to $2,500 travel reimbursement, and $5,000 research grant to the recipient’s institution
Summary: Recognizes sustained fundamental chemistry research with undergraduates that advances science and students’ professional development.
Key Information: Nominees must be tenured faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions whose departments have no doctoral program.
Description
The American Chemical Society (ACS) recognizes a chemistry faculty member whose research in an undergraduate setting has achieved wide recognition and contributed significantly to chemistry and undergraduate students’ professional development. The award honors a sustained body of significant fundamental research rather than a single, limited project, emphasizing the importance of undergraduate participation in scientific discovery.
Evidence of achievement includes refereed publications with undergraduate coauthors in leading scientific research journals, external research grant support, and the subsequent professional development of participating students. Sponsored by Research Corporation for Science Advancement, the award combines personal recognition for the faculty member with a separate research grant paid directly to the recipient’s institution.
