Chicago—During the American Chemical Society Board of Directors Open Meeting on Sunday, Aug. 23, the ACS Board chair, Wayne E. Jones Jr., announced that ACS has committed $1 million to a second year of ACS Graduate Student Success Grants. These grants, first announced during ACS Fall 2025, were a first-of-their-kind rapid response to science funding cuts last year.
The first round of grants supported 74 students across 56 universities. Students were able to continue research that could offer novel treatment for ovarian and prostate cancers, resilience and crop productivity, more-efficient energy storage, and more.
This year, the program will offer up to 40 awards of $25,000 each to graduate students in the chemical sciences whose academic progress has been disrupted by unforeseen circumstances, which might include a termination or lapse of research funding, delays in funding availability, or unexpected changes in project scope or priorities.
“Graduate students play a critical role in advancing research, innovation, and the future scientific workforce,” Jones says in a press release. “This grant helps talented students continue their academic journey when they face unexpected challenges. Our goal is to help those students finish their degrees, preserve research continuity, and strengthen the pipeline of future scientists.”
Applications will open Sept. 15 and be accepted through Oct. 2. One application is permitted per institution, and the principal investigator must be an active ACS member. Submissions will be reviewed in the order they are received, and funding decisions will be communicated later in October, with awards being distributed by Dec. 31.
