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

May 31, 2026 (Nomination submission deadline)

Formal recognition and certificate; no monetary award.

Recognizes graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the chemical sciences for exceptional leadership in mentoring, inclusion, or research safety.

--- ## Description The American Chemical Society (ACS) Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholars Recognition Program honors graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the chemical sciences who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in one of three categories: mentoring, promotion of inclusion and belonging, or promotion of research safety. Through departmental nominations, recipients are formally recognized by ACS with a certificate and public acknowledgment on the ACS website, highlighting their positive impact within their academic and research communities. --- ## Due Dates - May 31, 2026: Nomination submission deadline (for 2026 cycle) --- ## Funding Amount - This is a recognition program; recipients receive a certificate and public acknowledgment. - No monetary award or direct funding is provided. --- ## Eligibility - Nominee must be a current graduate student or postdoctoral scholar in the chemical sciences at the time of submission. - Nominations must be submitted by academic departments or programs; self-nominations are not permitted. - Each department may nominate one graduate student and one postdoctoral scholar per recognition category (mentoring, inclusion and belonging, research safety) per year. - Individuals may only be nominated and recognized in one category per year. - Departments are not required to submit nominations for all three categories. --- ## Application Process - Nominations are submitted by departments or programs in the chemical sciences using the official [ACS nomination form](https://americanchemical.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uiQcjuNE4bqf4i) (available when the cycle opens). - Departments must provide selection criteria and evidence supporting the nominee’s contributions. This may include recommendation letters, evaluative rubrics, or other documentation. - ACS provides an [optional sample rubric](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/funding/awards/graduate-student-post-doc-recognition-program/recognition-program-rubric-2025.docx) to guide departments in their selection process, but departments may use their own criteria. - ACS reviews nominations and notifies departments of successful recognitions. Certificates are sent to departments for distribution, and recipients are listed on the ACS website. --- ## Additional Information - The program is open to departments and programs worldwide. - Recognition is intended to honor leadership in mentoring, fostering inclusion and belonging, or promoting research safety, with broad definitions for each category. - The nomination period for 2026 opens March 2, 2026. --- ## External Links - [Program Details and Nomination Instructions](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/graduate-student-and-postdoctoral-scholars-recognition-program.html) - [Nomination Form (when open)](https://americanchemical.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uiQcjuNE4bqf4i) - [Sample Nomination Rubric (DOCX)](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/funding/awards/graduate-student-post-doc-recognition-program/recognition-program-rubric-2025.docx) - [Past Recipients](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/graduate-student-and-postdoctoral-scholars-recognition-program/past-recipients.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |-----------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------| | ACS Recognition Team | [graded@acs.org](mailto:graded@acs.org) | +1 800-227-5558 | | Program Contact | [j_yu@acs.org](mailto:j_yu@acs.org) | | | General ACS Contact | [help@services.acs.org](mailto:help@services.acs.org) | | | ACS Contact Page | [https://www.acs.org/contact.html](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) | |

Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholars Recognition Program

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