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

April 1, 2026 | April 1, 2025 | April 1, 2010

$250 cash award plus up to $1,000 for travel expenses to the ACS Fall Meeting; commemorative plaque

Annual award honoring an undergraduate woman or AFAB student who has overcome significant hardship to succeed in chemistry, providing monetary support and recognition at the ACS Fall Meeting.

--- ## Description This annual award from the American Chemical Society Women Chemists Committee recognizes an individual undergraduate (woman or person assigned female at birth) who has demonstrated exceptional perseverance in overcoming economic, personal, or academic hardship to achieve success in chemistry. The recipient receives a monetary prize, travel support to attend the ACS Fall Meeting, and a commemorative plaque, with public recognition at the Women Chemists Committee Luncheon. --- ## Due Dates - April 1, 2026: Full application deadline — applications must be submitted by April 1, 2026 at 11:30 p.m. ET - April 1, 2025: Full application deadline - April 1, 2010: Application deadline (historic) --- ## Funding Amount - $250 cash prize - Up to $1,000 in travel expenses to attend the ACS Fall Meeting (where the award is presented) - Commemorative plaque The award is offered annually to a single recipient. --- ## Eligibility - Must be an undergraduate student who is: - Currently enrolled in a two-year chemistry-related program **or** - Pursuing a major or minor in a four-year chemistry program at a school that does **not** grant doctorates in chemistry - Must have completed at least one semester of college-level chemistry - Must identify as a woman (cis or trans) or a person assigned female at birth (AFAB) - Must demonstrate that she has overcome significant hardship (economic, personal, or academic) in pursuit of her education - Applications are evaluated on: - Improvement - Initiative - Successes - Grades from the previous two semesters (not cumulative GPA) --- ## Application Process - Complete the [online application form](https://fs7.formsite.com/vatz5F/OvercomingChallenges/index) by the deadline - Required materials (in PDF format, no embedded documents): - Letter of request, including applicant’s contact information and a description of the hardships overcome and current successes - One letter of recommendation (may be uploaded by the applicant or submitted directly by the reference using [this form](https://fs7.formsite.com/vatz5F/AdvisorForm/index)) - School transcripts (official or unofficial) - All application materials must be received by April 1, 2026 at 11:30 p.m. ET - The awardee will be notified and recognized at the ACS Fall Meeting --- ## Additional Information - Only one award is granted each year - The award is presented at the Women Chemists Committee Luncheon during the ACS Fall Meeting - The program uses gender-inclusive language and eligibility; see the [ACS Inclusivity Style Guide](https://www.acs.org/about/inclusion/inclusivity-style-guide/gender-and-sexuality.html#gender-neutral-language) for more information --- ## External Links - [Program Page — ACS Women Chemists Committee Overcoming Challenges Award](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding/awards/women-chemists-overcoming-challenges-award.html) - [Online Application Form](https://fs7.formsite.com/vatz5F/OvercomingChallenges/index) - [ACS Women Chemists Committee](https://www.acs.org/about/governance/committees/women-chemists.html) - [ACS Inclusivity Style Guide](https://www.acs.org/about/inclusion/inclusivity-style-guide/gender-and-sexuality.html#gender-neutral-language) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Address | |---------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | Women Chemists Committee | [wcc@acs.org](mailto:wcc@acs.org) | +1 800-227-5558 | 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA | | ACS General Inquiries | [help@services.acs.org](mailto:help@services.acs.org) | +1 800-227-5558 | | ---

Women Chemists Committee Overcoming Challenges Award

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