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

September 30, 2026

$500 per mini-grant; one grant per local section per cycle

Supports ACS local sections in hosting community Science Café events that promote scientific literacy and engagement.

--- ## Description The Science Café Mini-Grant, offered by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Local Section Activities, provides funding to ACS local sections to organize Science Café events within their communities. These events are designed to foster open and informal dialogue between scientists and nonscientists on current scientific topics, promoting scientific literacy and stimulating interest in science at the community level. The grant aims to invigorate local sections, encourage community engagement, and provide resources and ideas for effective event planning. --- ## Due Dates - September 30, 2026: Mini-grant application deadline for the Science Café Mini-Grant --- ## Funding Amount - Each awarded mini-grant provides $500 to support a Science Café event. - Typically, only one mini-grant is awarded per local section per cycle. --- ## Eligibility - Only ACS local sections are eligible to apply. - Applicants must be members of their local ACS section, and the application should be submitted by the section chair or with a letter of support from the chair (or another executive committee member if the chair is the applicant). - Previous recipients must submit a summary report of their last funded Science Café before reapplying. --- ## Application Process - Complete the [online application form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a5ca1b836a7649a882cc76640df6eb67) by the stated deadline. - Required materials include: - Letter of support from the local section chair (or executive committee member) - Budget for the proposed event - If a co-sponsor is involved, a support letter from the co-sponsor - Applicants are encouraged to use the [grant application templates](https://americanchemicalsociety-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/w_meruvia_acs_org/Ek3Y-5YEjmJDlL4XFlqGa-gBoHvTfjXIb34wbIeG-hr5Ug?e=hDhgfh) to pre-fill responses. - Past grant recipients must submit a [summary report](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1cf9368606d54c878fda6a7268fbc71f) before applying again. --- ## Additional Information - Science Café topics can be broad, including any issue of public interest with a scientific foundation (e.g., climate change, food chemistry, sustainability, medical ethics, nanotechnology). - Events are typically held in casual venues such as coffee shops, libraries, or restaurants. - Resources for planning, budgeting, and promoting Science Cafés are available in the [ACS Officer Toolkit](https://www.acs.org/officer-toolkit/engage-your-members/science-cafes.html). - Attendance for initial events may range from 30–50, with potential to grow as the program becomes established. --- ## External Links - [Science Café Mini-Grant Program Page](https://www.acs.org/funding/grants/science-cafe-mini-grant.html) - [Application Form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a5ca1b836a7649a882cc76640df6eb67) - [Grant Application Templates](https://americanchemicalsociety-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/w_meruvia_acs_org/Ek3Y-5YEjmJDlL4XFlqGa-gBoHvTfjXIb34wbIeG-hr5Ug?e=hDhgfh) - [Summary Report Form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1cf9368606d54c878fda6a7268fbc71f) - [Science Cafés Planning Resources](https://www.acs.org/officer-toolkit/engage-your-members/science-cafes.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Webpage | |------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------| | ACS Local Section Activities | lsac@acs.org | +1 800-227-5558 | [Contact ACS](https://www.acs.org/contact.html) |

Science Café Mini-Grant

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