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

November 2026 (Nomination deadline) | August 2027 (Winners announced)

$5,000 cash prize plus up to $1,000 for travel expenses; awarded biennially

Recognizes outstanding discoveries in the chemistry of medicinally active substances made within the past two decades.

--- ## Description The E. B. Hershberg Award for Important Discoveries in Medicinally Active Substances, presented by the American Chemical Society and sponsored by Merck Research Laboratories, honors individuals for exceptional discoveries or developments in the chemistry of medicinally active substances. This biennial award celebrates impactful advances that have occurred within the last twenty years, highlighting research that has significantly influenced medicinal chemistry or drug discovery. The award includes a $5,000 honorarium, a certificate, and reimbursement of up to $1,000 in travel expenses to attend the award ceremony. --- ## Due Dates - **Nomination deadline (anticipated):** November 2026 - **Winners announced (anticipated):** August 2027 in Chemical & Engineering News *All dates are projected based on the biennial cycle; check the [program page](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/hershberg-award-for-important-discoveries-in-medicinally-active-substances.html) for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Award:** $5,000 cash prize - **Additional:** Up to $1,000 for travel expenses to the award ceremony - **Frequency:** Biennial (odd-numbered years) --- ## Eligibility - Open to individuals in academia, industry, or the broader chemistry profession. - Nominees are **not required** to be ACS members. - The discovery or development must have been made within the last 20 years. - Recognizes outstanding contributions regardless of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or educational background. - Prior recipients of widely recognized scientific awards may only be eligible if the new nomination is for different work. - Individuals who have received an ACS National Award may be nominated for a different ACS National Award if the nomination is for clearly different work or at least five years have elapsed since the previous award. --- ## Application Process - Nominations are typically open from July 1 to November 1 in the year prior to the award being presented. - Only one nominator per candidate is allowed; nominators do not need to be ACS members. - Nominations and support letters remain active in the database for up to three award cycles. - Required materials include a nomination form, a recommendation letter from the nominator, and supporting documentation as specified in the [nomination guidelines](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/national/nominations.html). - Submit nominations through the [ACS National Awards nomination portal](https://www.nominate.acs.org/). --- ## Additional Information - The award was established in 1988 to honor Emanuel B. Hershberg's contributions to medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. - Sponsored by Merck Research Laboratories. - Past recipients and additional details are available on the [award page](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/hershberg-award-for-important-discoveries-in-medicinally-active-substances/past-recipients.html). --- ## External Links - [Award Overview and Details](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/hershberg-award-for-important-discoveries-in-medicinally-active-substances.html) - [Nomination Guidelines](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/national/nominations.html) - [Submit a Nomination](https://www.nominate.acs.org/) - [Past Recipients](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/hershberg-award-for-important-discoveries-in-medicinally-active-substances/past-recipients.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | ACS National Awards | American Chemical Society, 1155 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA | | Email | [awards@acs.org](mailto:awards@acs.org) | | Phone | +1 800-227-5558 | | Contact Page | [https://www.acs.org/contact.html](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) |

E. B. Hershberg Award for Important Discoveries in Medicinally Active Substances

Sign in to see full grant listing