Call for applications for ACS PRIDE Merck Graduate Research Award

The American Chemical Society Division of Professional Relations (PROF) is seeking applicants for the 2027 cohort of the ACS PRIDE Merck Graduate Research Award. Recipients of the award will receive a $1,500 stipend, get to present their research at a special symposium at ACS Spring 2027 in New Orleans, and be partnered with an industry mentor from Merck & Co. for an entire year.

To apply for the award, applicants must be a US citizen (studying anywhere) or a non-US citizen attending a graduate program in the US or Canada, a member of PROF, and a member of the ACS Pride subdivision of PROF. Additionally, one must be available to present their research at ACS Spring and complete their application before the Sept. 18 deadline.

The application package should include the following: a research abstract (no more than 2,500 characters) submitted to the ACS Pride Graduate Research Symposium, confirmation that the graduate student can participate in the spring meeting in person, a copy of one’s resume or curriculum vitae, proof of enrollment, and confirmation to use one’s name and likeness in publications. Packages should also include a personal statement, no more than 500 words, reflecting the candidate’s journey as an LGBTQ+ individual; a short (no more than 250 word) statement about a challenge the candidate has faced as a chemist and how they’ve dealt with that challenge; a short (250-word maximum) answer to the question “How do you see your legacy in your chosen community in the future?”; and a 250-word-maximum statement describing where they envision their professional journey going and what they hope their career will look like in the future. A letter of recommendation in support of the applicant is strongly encouraged but not required.

More information on the award and how to apply is available online.

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