ACS Catalyst Scholarship

Description

The ACS Catalyst Scholarship is an education initiative designed to support undergraduate students pursuing chemistry or chemistry-related fields. This scholarship offers support to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need or hardship. This program provides $10,000 in funding, with the possibility of renewal in future years, to help students continue their academic journey.

The application period has concluded for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• Academic Status: Graduating high school seniors, undergraduates (freshman through senior) for the 2026-2027 School Year.
• Citizenship/Residency: U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident.
• Enrollment: High school seniors and undergraduate students (first through fourth year). Planning to enroll full-time for the 2026–2027 academic year at a U.S.-accredited college or university.
• Field of Study: Must intend to major or already be majoring in one of the following fields:
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemical or Science Education
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Forensic Chemistry/Forensic Science
  • Materials Chemistry/Materials
  • Other chemistry-based sciences.*    
• Academic Achievement: Demonstrate high academic achievement in chemistry or science, with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• Demonstrate Financial Need: You will need to upload your Eligibility Overview from your FAFSA Submission Summary as a PDF document.

*Must plan to pursue a career in the chemical sciences. The scholarship is not intended for Pre-Med programs. Those pursuing degrees in Pharmacy or Nursing are also not eligible for this scholarship.

Deadline

March 1, 2026

How to Apply

1. Prepare your materials
   • Two letters of recommendation
   • Resume
   • Transcripts:
     • High school seniors: High school transcript.
     • First-year college students: High school transcript and college transcript.
     • Second-year through fourth-year college students: College transcript.
   • FAFSA Eligibility Overview:
     • Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA Submission Summary. The SAI is located under the "Eligibility Overview" tab in the FAFSA Submission Summary document.
2. Complete online application
   • Fill out the application form
   • Upload your documents
   • Review your application for completeness

3. Track your application status
   • Check your email for confirmation
   • If selected, accept by May 2026

Funding for this scholarship is paid directly to accredited colleges or universities to cover essential educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, and books.

Submitting Your Application

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. Locate the Application Form & Submit Required Materials
   Scroll down, Select “2026 ACS Catalyst Scholarship.” Click “apply” to begin the application. 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.

3. Confirm Submission
   Upon successful submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation email from “ACS Undergraduate Scholarships.” If you do not receive this email, try the following:
   • Ensure you clicked the “Submit” button in your application
   • Check your email spam or junk folder for an email from administrator@grantinterface.com
   • Verify you included your correct email address in your application. 

Contact Information

For more information or for any questions, reach out to scholarships@acs.org.