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

January 31, 2026 (Nomination submission deadline)

Recognition award; no direct monetary prize specified.

Honors innovative green chemistry technologies that reduce hazardous substances and improve sustainability.

--- ## Description The Green Chemistry Challenge Award, administered by the American Chemical Society, recognizes outstanding green chemistry technologies that significantly reduce or eliminate hazardous substances, minimize energy and water use, and enhance sustainability while providing economic benefits. The award highlights achievements in areas such as greener synthetic pathways, product and process design for circularity, safer chemical design, and valorization of biomass. Established in 1996 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and now managed by ACS, the program aims to drive adoption of sustainable chemistry solutions with measurable environmental and economic impact. --- ## Due Dates - January 31, 2026: Nomination submission deadline (nominations must be submitted in PDF to gciawards@acs.org) --- ## Funding Amount - This is a recognition award; no direct monetary prize is specified. - Winners are honored at an official ceremony and receive significant recognition within the chemistry community. --- ## Eligibility To be eligible, a nominated technology must meet all of the following criteria: - Be a green chemistry technology with a significant chemistry component. - Include source reduction. - Be sponsored by an eligible entity (faculty, industry, or chemistry professional; federal entities are generally excluded). - Have achieved a significant milestone within the past five years. - Have a significant U.S. component. - Fit within at least one of the seven technical focus areas for the program. ### 2026 Award Categories: 1. Greener Synthetic Pathway in the Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals 2. Greener Synthetic Pathway in the Manufacture of Agrochemicals 3. Greener Synthetic Pathway in the Manufacture of Specialty Chemicals 4. Product, Chemical, and Process Design for Circularity or Degradability 5. Design and Manufacture of Materials for Energy Applications 6. Efficient and Impactful Valorization of Biomass 7. Design of Safer Chemicals - Plus: Small Business, Climate Change, and Academic Award categories (each tied to the above technical areas) --- ## Application Process - Download and review the [Nomination Package (PDF)](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/green-chemistry-sustainability/funding/gcca-2026-nomination-package.pdf) for requirements. - Prepare a nomination package as specified. - Submit the nomination in PDF format via email to [gciawards@acs.org](mailto:gciawards@acs.org) by January 31, 2026. - Nominations are judged by a panel of technical experts based on science and innovation, human health and environmental benefits, and applicability and impact. - Winners are notified prior to the official announcement, which occurs in Fall 2026. --- ## Additional Information - The award is highly competitive and recognizes technologies with proven real-world impact. - Past recipients and success stories can be found on the [ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Awards page](https://www.acs.org/green-chemistry-sustainability/funding-and-recognition/gcca.html) and [EPA’s GCCA archive](https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge-winners). - For tips and updates, see the [2026 GCCA Informational Webinar Slides](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/acs-webinars/2025/slides/2026-gcca-informational-webinar.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Green Chemistry Challenge Award Program Page](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/green-chemistry-challenge-award.html) - [Nomination Package (PDF)](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/green-chemistry-sustainability/funding/gcca-2026-nomination-package.pdf) - [2026 GCCA Informational Webinar Slides](https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/acs-webinars/2025/slides/2026-gcca-informational-webinar.pdf) - [Past Winners and Success Stories](https://www.acs.org/green-chemistry-sustainability/funding-and-recognition/gcca.html) - [EPA Green Chemistry Challenge Winners (archive)](https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge-winners) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |--------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [help@services.acs.org](mailto:help@services.acs.org) | | Nomination Submission | [gciawards@acs.org](mailto:gciawards@acs.org) | | Phone | +1 800-227-5558 | | Funder Contact Page | [ACS Contact Page](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) |

Green Chemistry Challenge Award - American Chemical Society

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