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

January 2027

Recognition award (no direct monetary funding); up to ten awards annually across categories.

Honors innovative green chemistry technologies that reduce hazardous substances and advance environmental and economic sustainability.

--- ## Description The Green Chemistry Challenge Award recognizes outstanding green chemistry technologies that significantly reduce or eliminate hazardous substances, minimize energy and water consumption, and enhance the sustainability of products while demonstrating clear economic benefits. The program, administered by the American Chemical Society (ACS), highlights technologies that make a meaningful impact on environmental protection and economic performance. Awards are presented across ten categories, including synthetic pathways for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, specialty chemicals, circularity and degradability, energy applications, biomass valorization, safer chemical design, small business innovation, climate change mitigation, and academic research. --- ## Due Dates - January 2027 (anticipated full application submission deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - The award is a recognition prize; there is no direct monetary funding. - Up to ten awards are presented annually, one for each category. - Winners receive a commemorative award and are recognized at an ACS ceremony; they may also be invited to present at the ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference. --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants include companies, individuals, academic institutions (including state and tribal universities), nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations, and their representatives. - Federal government employees and entities are not eligible to receive the award but may participate as research partners. - The nominated technology must: - Be a green chemistry technology with a significant chemistry component. - Demonstrate source reduction (not just recycling or treatment). - Have achieved a significant milestone within the past five years (e.g., discovery, publication, patent, pilot plant, commercial launch). - Have a significant U.S. component (research/development/implementation must have occurred in the U.S.). - Fit within at least one of the seven primary focus areas (with additional categories for small business, climate change, and academic research). --- ## Application Process - Download the current nomination package from the [ACS program page](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/green-chemistry-challenge-award.html). - Prepare a nomination (maximum eight pages, including cover page) following the format and checklist in the nomination package. - Nominations must include: cover page, eligibility statements, focus area selection, milestone description, U.S. component statement, abstract, and detailed description addressing the award criteria. - Submit the completed nomination as a PDF via email to [gciawards@acs.org](mailto:gciawards@acs.org). - No application fee is required. - Judging is conducted by an expert panel convened by ACS, evaluating science and innovation, human health and environmental benefits, and applicability/impact. --- ## Additional Information - Award categories for the next cycle include: - Greener synthetic pathways (pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, specialty chemicals) - Product/process design for circularity or degradability - Materials for energy applications - Biomass valorization - Safer chemical design - Small business, climate change, and academic awards - Past recipients and detailed category information are available on the [EPA Green Chemistry Challenge Winners page](https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge-winners). - Winners are notified prior to the public announcement in the fall and are honored at an ACS awards ceremony. --- ## 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 Award Winners and Success Stories](https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge-winners) - [Related ACS Green Chemistry Awards](https://www.acs.org/funding.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Web Contact Page | |--------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------| | ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Awards | gciawards@acs.org / help@services.acs.org | +1 800-227-5558 | [Contact ACS](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) | ---

Green Chemistry Challenge Award

Sign in to see full grant listing