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

December 15, 2025

Recognition award; includes a certificate and a small gift; no cash prize

Honors ACS local section and international chapter volunteers for exceptional chemistry outreach and public education efforts.

Each ACS local section or international chapter may recognize one volunteer per year; awardees receive additional recognition at ChemLuminary Awards and in ACS media.

--- ## Description The Outreach Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of volunteers from American Chemical Society (ACS) local sections and international chapters who engage in chemistry outreach and public education. Recipients are honored with a certificate and a small gift, and their achievements are highlighted at the annual ChemLuminary Awards, on ACS social media channels, and in a featured article in *Chemical & Engineering News*. Since 2021, one awardee is selected annually by the ACS Committee on Community Activities (CCA) to be named the Global Outreach Volunteer of the Year. --- ## Due Dates - **Nomination Deadline:** December 15, 2025 (Submissions open in October; chairs or their designees must submit nominations by this date.) --- ## Funding Amount - **Award:** Recognition only (certificate and small gift; no monetary prize) - **Additional Honors:** Awardees are celebrated at the ChemLuminary Awards, featured in ACS media, and recognized within their local sections or chapters. --- ## Eligibility - Nominee must be an ACS local section or international chapter volunteer who has demonstrated extraordinary outreach service. - Each local section or international chapter may recognize one individual annually. - Volunteers are eligible to receive this award only once every five years. - Members of the ACS Committee on Community Activities (CCA) are not eligible for the Global Outreach Volunteer of the Year award during their years of CCA service. - Nominations must be submitted by the local section or chapter chair, or an officially designated alternate. --- ## Application Process - **Nomination:** Each ACS local section and international chapter receives communication and access to the nomination submission form in mid-October. - **Submission:** The section or chapter chair (or a designated alternate) submits the nomination via the provided form. - **Selection:** All nominees are recognized; one Global Outreach Volunteer of the Year is selected by the CCA from among the local and international awardees. - **Recognition:** Awardees receive a certificate and a small gift at a local event, with additional honors at the ChemLuminary Awards and in ACS communications. For more details and the nomination form, visit the [program page](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/outreach-volunteer-of-the-year-award.html). --- ## Additional Information - The award celebrates volunteers who have made a significant impact in chemistry outreach, including public engagement, educational events, and community science initiatives. - Awardees serve as role models and ambassadors for ACS outreach, helping to strengthen the connection between chemistry and the public. - Related recognition programs include the [ChemLuminary Awards](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/chemluminary.html) and [Salutes to Excellence](https://www.acs.org/education/salutes-to-excellence.html). --- ## External Links - [ACS Outreach Volunteer of the Year Award Program Page](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/outreach-volunteer-of-the-year-award.html) - [Past Award Recipients](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/outreach-volunteer-of-the-year-award/recipients.html) - [ACS Committee on Community Activities](https://www.acs.org/about/governance/committees/community-activities.html) - [ACS Science Outreach Resources](https://www.acs.org/outreach.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Webpage | |-------------------|-----------------------------------|------------------|--------------------------------------------| | ACS Outreach Team | [outreach@acs.org](mailto:outreach@acs.org) | +1 800-227-5558 | [ACS Contact Page](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) |

Outreach Volunteer of the Year Award

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