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

January 31, 2026 (Nomination submission deadline)

Recognition award; no direct monetary prize. Multiple categories, one award per category.

Recognizes innovative green chemistry technologies that reduce hazardous substances, improve sustainability, and offer economic benefits.

--- ## Description The Green Chemistry Challenge Award, administered by the American Chemical Society (ACS), celebrates outstanding green chemistry technologies that significantly reduce or eliminate hazardous substances, minimize energy and water consumption, and enhance the sustainability of products and processes. The award aims to highlight and promote advancements that contribute to safer, more efficient chemical manufacturing and product design, while also delivering measurable environmental and economic benefits. Technologies honored by this award help drive progress in pollution prevention, resource conservation, and the adoption of sustainable practices across industry and academia. --- ## Due Dates - January 31, 2026: Nomination submission deadline (all nominations must be submitted in PDF format to gciawards@acs.org) --- ## Funding Amount - This is a recognition award; there is no direct monetary prize. - Multiple awards are made, typically one per category (ten categories in 2026). - Winners receive a commemorative award and are honored at an ACS ceremony in Fall 2026. --- ## Eligibility - Eligible entities include: - Companies (including small businesses) - Individuals - Academic institutions (including state and tribal universities) - Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations - Federal government employees and agencies are not eligible to receive the award, but may participate as research partners. - The nominated technology must: 1. Be a green chemistry technology with a significant chemistry component. 2. Include source reduction (pollution prevention). 3. Have reached a significant milestone within the past five years (e.g., discovery, publication, patent, pilot, commercial launch). 4. Have a significant U.S. component (substantial R&D or implementation in the U.S.). 5. Fit within at least one of the seven main focus areas. --- ## Application Process - Prepare a nomination package (maximum 8 pages, including cover page) in PDF format. The package must address: - Cover page with technology title, sponsor(s), and contact details. - Award category eligibility statements (Climate Change, Academic, Small Business). - Focus area(s) addressed by the technology. - Description of the most recent milestone (within 5 years) and U.S. component. - Abstract (≤500 words) outlining the technology, problem addressed, and quantitative benefits. - Detailed description showing how the technology meets the program scope and selection criteria: scientific innovation, human health/environmental benefits, and applicability/impact. - Submit the PDF nomination via email to [gciawards@acs.org](mailto:gciawards@acs.org) by January 31, 2026. - There is no entry fee. - See the [2026 Nomination Package PDF](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/green-chemistry-sustainability/funding/gcca-2026-nomination-package.pdf) for full details and required format. --- ## Additional Information - Ten award categories for 2026, including focus areas such as greener synthetic pathways (pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, specialty chemicals), circularity/degradability, energy materials, biomass valorization, safer chemicals, small business, climate change, and academic research. - Past winners and their technologies are listed on the [EPA Green Chemistry Challenge Winners page](https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge-winners) and the [ACS Green Chemistry site](https://www.acs.org/gcca). - Winners are notified in advance and presented at a ceremony in Fall 2026; they are expected to present at the subsequent ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference. --- ## External Links - [ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award Program Page](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/green-chemistry-challenge-award.html) - [2026 Nomination Package (PDF)](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/green-chemistry-sustainability/funding/gcca-2026-nomination-package.pdf) - [Past Winners (EPA)](https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge-winners) - [ACS Green Chemistry & Sustainability Funding and Recognition](https://www.acs.org/green-chemistry-sustainability/funding-and-recognition/gcca.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | More Info | |----------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------| | Green Chemistry Challenge Awards | gciawards@acs.org | +1 (202) 872-6869 | [ACS Contact Page](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) | | General ACS Support | help@services.acs.org | +1 800-227-5558 | |

Green Chemistry Challenge Award

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