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

September 30, 2025

Up to $500 per local section for a single Science Café event

Supports ACS local sections in hosting Science Cafés to promote scientific literacy and community engagement.

Only ACS local sections are eligible; summary report required to be eligible for future mini-grants.

--- ## Description The American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Local Section Activities offers mini-grants to ACS local sections interested in organizing Science Cafés. These events are designed to provide a relaxed, open venue for scientists and nonscientists to discuss current scientific topics, with the goal of promoting scientific literacy and stimulating community engagement around science-related questions of the day. Science Cafés are typically informal gatherings held in accessible venues such as coffee shops, restaurants, or community centers, and are intended to foster dialogue between scientists and the public. The mini-grant aims to help local sections offset costs associated with organizing these events, such as speaker travel, venue rental, and promotional materials (but not speaker stipends). --- ## Due Dates - **Application Deadline:** September 30, 2025 --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum Award:** $500 per local section per Science Café event - **Funding can be used for:** Speaker travel, advertising, promotion, venue rental, and other event-related costs (excluding speaker stipends) --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Applicants:** ACS local sections (organizations), not individuals - **Geographic Scope:** United States - **Requirements:** - The application must be approved by the local section chair. - If the section received a Science Café Mini-Grant previously, a summary report for the prior event must be submitted before applying again. - A letter of support from the local section chair is required. - If partnering with co-sponsors, a letter of support from each co-sponsor is also required. --- ## Application Process 1. **Prepare Application Materials:** - Project title and brief description - Goals/objectives and plan of action (including probable dates) - Target audience and estimated reach - Event details: topic, potential/confirmed speakers, venue, and date - Description of how the event will promote scientific literacy and engage the local section - Budget (use the [budget template](https://americanchemicalsociety-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/w_meruvia_acs_org/EZZ5zUBf_C5LlkaErPmVMzQBKyvepO5CMBk3Q-rsMFNVxA?e=d1mJ4D)) - Letter of support from the local section chair (or executive committee member if the chair is the project coordinator) - Letters of support from co-sponsors (if applicable) 2. **Submit Application:** - Complete the online application form: [LSAC Grant Application](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a5ca1b836a7649a882cc76640df6eb67) - Upload required documents (budget, letters of support) 3. **Post-Event Requirement:** - Submit a summary report within 30 days of the event using the [summary report form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b44411e491f94cb1a92b9bf635be908b) - Failure to submit a report will make the section ineligible for future Science Café Mini-Grants --- ## Additional Information - Funds **cannot** be used for speaker stipends. - Science Cafés should be designed to attract and engage nonscientists as well as scientists. - Resources for planning, topic ideas, and event promotion are available in the [ACS Officer Toolkit](https://www.acs.org/officer-toolkit/engage-your-members/science-cafes.html). - Evaluation of the event (e.g., through surveys) is encouraged to improve future programming. --- ## External Links - [ACS Science Café Mini-Grant Program Details](https://www.acs.org/funding/grants/science-cafe-mini-grant.html) - [LSAC Grant Application Form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/a5ca1b836a7649a882cc76640df6eb67) - [Science Cafés Planning Toolkit](https://www.acs.org/officer-toolkit/engage-your-members/science-cafes.html) - [Budget Template](https://americanchemicalsociety-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/w_meruvia_acs_org/EZZ5zUBf_C5LlkaErPmVMzQBKyvepO5CMBk3Q-rsMFNVxA?e=d1mJ4D) - [Summary Report Form](https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b44411e491f94cb1a92b9bf635be908b) - [Science Café Topic Ideas](https://www.acs.org/officer-toolkit/engage-your-members/science-cafes.html#mastertab-_content_acs_en_officer-toolkitengage-your-membersscience-cafesj0) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Email | [lsac@acs.org](mailto:lsac@acs.org) | | Phone | +1 800-227-5558 | | ACS Main Website | [https://www.acs.org](https://www.acs.org) | | Program Page | [Science Café Mini-Grant](https://www.acs.org/funding/grants/science-cafe-mini-grant.html) | | Mailing Address | American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA |

Science Café Mini-Grant

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