Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal
Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal supports women chemists through a prize honoring distinguished service, recognizing work that advances chemistry, benefits society, and serves the scientific community.
This grant was recently updated
ACS now explicitly states that support-letter writers do not need to be Society members. It also added conduct inconsistent with the Society’s Core Values as grounds for rescinding an award.
Funder: American Chemical Society
Due Dates: August 5, 2026 (Nominations open) | December 5, 2026 (Nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: $15,000 prize plus up to $2,500 in travel reimbursement, a medallion, and a certificate
Summary: Recognizes distinguished service to chemistry by women chemists through an ACS National Award.
Key Information: Nominees must be women chemists; the selection committee rubric also requires U.S. citizenship.
Description
The Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal is administered by the American Chemical Society (ACS) to recognize distinguished service to chemistry by women chemists. Part of the ACS National Awards and its Diversity category, it honors contributions to the discipline rather than funding a specified research project. The award is supported by an endowed fund established by Francis P. Garvan and the Olin Corporation Charitable Trust.
Selection considers the significance of a nominee’s work for the chemical enterprise, its benefit to society, innovation, and service to the scientific community beyond job expectations. The award includes a monetary prize and formal recognition, with the medallion presented at the WCC luncheon during the ACS Spring Meeting.
