Application Process

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Chemistry student or professional from one of the following groups:
• Undergraduate student (within 2 years of graduation)
• Graduate (incl. master's or PhD) student
• Post-doctoral scholar
• Early career professional (within the first 3 years)
• Available to be physically present in Washington, D.C., for the duration of the conference
• Participate in two virtual one-hour events - one prior to and one after the conference

The LEADS conference is open to both U.S. and international applicants, as well as applicants from all colleges, universities, and employment sectors. Direct any additional questions about eligibility to: leadsconference@acs.org

Application instructions

1. Create an account. The account allows you to update your application at any time prior to submission and view your application status after submission. Your e-mail address will serve as the username for the account so use your most preferred e-mail.
2. Click “Apply." You will be taken to the ACS Student Experiences Programs application page.
3. Scroll down Select “LEADS 2026 Application.” Click “apply” to begin application.
4. Complete the LEADS 2026 Application. See below for more information on the application components.
5. Enter and submit the required materials for this application form. All information, including transcripts must be submitted with this form. Information not currently available in electronic form can be converted to PDF for free using the FaxtoMail feature. You may save and return to your application until the submission deadline.
6. Confirm submission. Upon successful submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation email from “StudentExperiences@acs.org.” If you do not receive this email, try the following:
7. a. Ensure you clicked the “Submit” button in your application
8. b. Check your email spam or junk folder
9. c. Verify you included your correct email address in your application.

Contact leadsconference@acs.org with any additional concerns

Application components

• Statements of interest: You will have several opportunities to describe who you are and why you are a good candidate for the LEADS conference through personal statements. You will be asked to respond to the following in 2,000 or fewer characters each:
• Lifelong Learning: ACS champions Lifelong Learning, promoting equitable access to science education, resources, and career pathways. If you had the opportunity to ask a Nobel Laureate or pioneering scientist one question to deepen your understanding or advance your journey in the chemical sciences, what would you ask and why?
• Passion for Science and Innovation: A core value of ACS is a Passion for Science. We believe chemistry drives scientific discovery and innovation. Reflecting on the past century, which scientific or technological advancement do you find most compelling, and what makes it stand out to you? Looking to the future, what groundbreaking scientific breakthrough do you envision having a transformative impact over the next 100 years, and why?
• Inclusion and Belonging: Inclusion and belonging are core values of ACS. We are committed to creating environments where people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences thrive. Describe a time when you helped make a classroom, lab, research group, or scientific community more welcoming and supportive. What challenges did you encounter, and how did you address them? Looking ahead, how do you plan to continue fostering a sense of belonging in your future career?
• Personal statement: Describe your current career goals and plans for achieving them. Your response should include how the LEADS conference will help further your goals.
• Additional information: This question is completely optional. You may use it to provide any information you feel is pertinent to your application that is not collected elsewhere.
• Resume or CV: You will be asked to upload a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Transcript (undergraduate and graduate students only): Students must upload a copy of their current transcript. Unofficial transcripts are welcome.
• Letter of recommendation: Applicants must supply a letter of recommendation that address scientific potential, commitment to a chemistry-based career in the chemical sciences, and/or facility with such skills as leadership and teamwork. Letters may be uploaded by the applicant or submitted by the reference (instructions for this will be included in the application).

Applicants should meet with their references ahead of time to discuss the letter:

• Undergraduates should provide letter(s) from academic or research advisors or program director
• Graduates and post-doctoral scholars should provide letters from research advisor(s) or the department chair/dean
• Early career candidates should provide letters from manager(s) or director(s)