Fast Facts about ACS

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a non-profit founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. We are one of the world’s largest scientific organizations. Our commitment is to improve all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Our mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community and champion scientific integrity. Our vision is a world built on science.

What We Do

• We champion chemistry, its practitioners and the global ACS community.
• We’re recognized as a leading publisher of authoritative scientific information. Our 90+ peer-reviewed journals are the most trusted, most cited and most read.
• Every day, CAS scientists collect and analyze published scientific literature from around the globe, building the highest quality and most up-to-date collection of scientific information in the world.
• We empower our members to advance chemistry, elevate their career potential, expand networks, inspire future generations, collaborate globally and build communities that provide scientific solutions.
• We provide broader networks that facilitate connections and open doors in a way no other professional organization can match!

What We Value

Passion for Science

We believe chemistry drives scientific discovery and innovation.

ACS publishes 90+ peer-reviewed journals with cutting-edge articles across a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines. The breadth and scope of ACS Publications journals is unparalleled, stretching across chemistry, physics and biology. Every year, over 100,000 authors and their research teams from the community of  scientists worldwide submit their work for consideration in these journals.

Lifelong Learning

We promote equitable access to science education, resources and career pathways.  

ACS provides a wealth of educational materials and programs to support continuous learning for chemists at all stages of their careers. We promote excellence in science education and community outreach. Through the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT), we support K-12 chemistry teachers with educational resources, professional development and community networking. ACS offers workshops, webinars, and training programs to help professionals stay updated with the latest advancements in the field, including the ACS Institute, a learning platform that offers a robust collection of learning and training resources to advance the chemistry community. We offer scholarships, grants and fellowships to provide equitable access to science education. ACS provides guidance and resources for various career paths in chemistry — including industry, higher education, government and entrepreneurship — helping individuals from all backgrounds find and navigate their career paths in the chemical sciences.

Inclusion and Belonging

We create environments where people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences thrive.

ACS is committed to advancing inclusion and belonging by creating environments where people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences can thrive in the chemistry enterprise. We provide tools, resources and training to support this core value. Please visit www.acs.org/inclusion for more information.

Sustainability

We embody safe, ethical, and responsible practices.  

The ACS Green Chemistry Institute® leads our efforts to catalyze the implementation of sustainable approaches to chemistry and engineering across the globe. The ACS Campaign for a Sustainable Future is a multifaceted strategic initiative that will have lasting impact on  how we conduct research, how we teach chemistry  and how we collaborate globally. It positions ACS as a leader in advancing chemistry innovations to address the challenges articulated in the U.N. 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

What We Advocate For

We work to promote public policies that advance the chemistry enterprise and its practitioners. In the U.S., ACS has more than 20 public policy statements that aim to:

• Strengthen inclusive STEM education and workforce development
• Enhance business and innovation ecosystems
• Increase investment in research and development
• Ensure scientific integrity and data accessibility

How We Support, Advance & Empower

• Project SEED
• Petroleum Research Fund
• Green Chemistry Institute®
• CAS Future Leaders
• Support Science

We provide information, education, career services, professional development and engagement programs to help our members and scientists thrive in an ever-changing global economy. We also support teaching and learning for students of all ages through grants and scholarships, and we encourage invest-ments in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, research and innovation. 

In keeping with our commitment to be a catalyst for international innovation, the readership and authorship for ACS Publications spans more than 6,000 institutions in 75 countries. More than 25% of our members reside outside the U.S., representing 195 countries and regions as of mid-year 2025.