James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public
James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public honors communicators for reporting and presentations that increase public understanding of chemistry and chemical progress.
Funder: American Chemical Society
Due Dates: August 5, 2026 (Nominations open) | December 5, 2026 (Nomination deadline, 2028 awards)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 award plus up to $2,500 in travel reimbursement, a medallion, and a certificate
Summary: Recognizes outstanding public-facing reporting and presentations that increase understanding of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields.
Key Information: Nominees and nominators do not need to be ACS members.
Description
The American Chemical Society (ACS) presents this annual national award to recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding reporting directly to the public. It honors noteworthy presentations that materially increase public knowledge and understanding of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields, with an emphasis on explaining chemistry and chemical progress to lay audiences.
The award recognizes communication through the press, radio, television, films, online media, lecture platforms, or books for the lay public. Part of ACS’s Public Service & Outreach awards, it centers on the public benefit of interpreting chemistry rather than supporting a proposed research project. ACS sponsors the award, which includes a cash prize, formal recognition, and reimbursement toward travel to the presentation meeting.
