ACS GCI

Green & Sustainable
Chemistry Summer School

 



The ACS Green and Sustainable Chemistry Summer School (GSCSS) is a highly selective week-long program for graduate students and postdoctoral chemists and engineers.

Each year, approximately 75 exceptional students from North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean are selected from a large pool of applicants and gather for this fully funded once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The American Chemical Society covers all eligible travel and program costs.

 

Dates
July 11 – July 18, 2026

Location
University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

Applications Open
October 6, 2025 – December 15, 2025

 

About

Organized and hosted by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute (GCI), the summer school program is made possible through the contribution of more than a dozen expert instructors who share knowledge and skills from across a broad spectrum of topics directly relevant to green chemistry and sustainability.

Throughout the program, students attend lectures and discussions, participate in group projects, present posters about their own research, and spend time networking both with each other and the GSCSS faculty. Alumni of this program have gone on to become leaders in many green chemistry and sustainability-related fields and provide participants with an extensive network of professional contacts.  

 

2025 Annual Report
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Application Information

 

The application portal for the 2026 Summer School will be open from October 6, 2025 through December 15, 2025.

 

No one is permitted to participate in the Summer School program more than once. If you have attended in a previous year (virtual or in person), you are not eligible to attend a second time. Only completed applications (including a letter of nomination) will be considered.

Please Note for the 2026 Session:

We are aware that the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held in the U.S. at the same time as the Summer School program. If accepted, you will be traveling home from the program on July 18 – the day before the final match. Please be advised that we expect full attendance at all sessions throughout the Summer School program and this will not allow for watching final week World Cup matches between the hours of 8:30 am and late evening on most days. Accepted students will be required to submit a formal agreement stating they understand the conflict and will prioritize participation in the Summer School program over following the World Cup while classes are in session. If you are passionate about the World Cup and think this will be distracting for you, we certainly understand, but you should not apply for the 2026 Summer School. Please wait for a future year, if you will still be eligible at that time.

How to Apply

You will need to submit the following in our online application portal:

  1. A curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé. The document should include your current institutional affiliation and contact information. (Maximum 2 pages)
  2. A transcript of graduate-level coursework (both current and completed). The document does not need to be an official transcript; an unofficial transcript is fine, but please be certain to include course titles.
  3. A one-page essay addressing your interest in green and sustainable chemistry. The essay should describe any relevant experience you have, as well as how you will benefit from the program. Applicants will find instructions in the application portal with specific prompts for information to be included in their personal essay. Applicants whose essays do not address the prompts will not be considered for the program.
  4. A letter of recommendation from your research advisor, mentor, another faculty member, or similar person who can attest to your interest, talent, and expertise. This letter must be uploaded separately by the author from their own email address and must address the four questions shown below. (Note: your advisor will receive the following questions when you send a request through the application portal.)
    • What strengths would the nominee bring to the Summer School?
    • What evidence can you provide that the nominee displays curiosity and creative thinking in problem-solving?
    • What evidence have you seen that supports the nominee’s commitment to and interest in green and sustainable chemistry?
    • In what way(s) do you think attendance at the summer school will benefit the nominee’s research and/or career?

Notification of Acceptance

All applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than March 31, 2026. For international students, we realize that in some countries the application process for an appropriate travel visa can take a long time. Unfortunately, we cannot make special accommodations for students faced with wait times that prevent them from attending the program. We are not able to help expedite the application process in countries outside the U.S. Please see the FAQ section below for additional information relevant to visa applications and expenses. It is our intention to notify students of acceptance as early as possible but cannot guarantee a decision before March 31, 2026. If you are accepted to the program but cannot secure a visa in a timely fashion, we will consider (but not guarantee) allowing you to defer attending for one year.

 

Statement Concerning Inclusion & Belonging

Inclusion and belonging are core values of the American Chemical Society. We believe in the power of and respect for all. All applications will be evaluated on their own merit. The multitude of people, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas lead to superior solutions to world challenges and advances chemistry as a global, multidisciplinary science.  We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and diverse environment. All participants are expected to treat others with respect to facilitate open dialogue and effective discussions.

History of the program

The ACS Green Chemistry Institute Summer School program has been bringing students together each summer since 2003. Until 2023, the program was funded by a variety of supporting organizations, including most recently, the ACS Petroleum Research Fund. Since 2023, funding is provided by the American Chemical Society under the auspices of an extended partnership between the GSCSS and the ACS Division of Education LEADS program. 

During the intensive week-long program, students spend their time learning about sustainable chemistry topics from our distinguished instructors, participating in poster sessions, and spending time brainstorming, problem-solving, and getting to know each other. Typically, around 75 students participate each year, representing a diverse group of scholars studying at universities from Argentina to Canada and everywhere in between. The experience is pivotal in developing life-long green chemistry champions—in fact, many Summer School alumni have gone on to be leaders in their respective fields, including ACS’s own Director of Sustainable Development, Dr. Adelina Voutchkova.

Read more about the experience from recent alumni:

Read more from C&EN:



Sponsors

The Summer School is proudly sponsored by the ACS and ACS Green Chemistry Institute.

ACS Green Chemistry Institute
ACS Chemistry for Life

General FAQ

Do I need to be vaccinated for COVID to attend?

Safety is a core value of the American Chemical Society and will continue to be our ultimate guide for actions affecting ACS members, staff, meeting attendees, and other stakeholders. Given the decrease in the severity of the pandemic and because the CDC has loosened its restrictions relative to COVID-19, starting January 1, 2023, ACS will no longer require attendees to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for events. We do, however, strongly encourage attendees to take their health and well-being (and that of their fellow attendees) seriously when attending ACS events. We encourage you to follow all the appropriate health-related guidance for you as an individual.

Do I need to be an ACS member to attend Summer School?

You do not need to be an ACS member to attend. (We do hope that you'll consider joining, however!)

Will I earn college credit or continuing education units (CEUs) if I attend? 

You will not earn any educational credits or CEUs by attending. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of our week, but not a formal transcript.

Do I need to be a citizen of a Caribbean or Central, North, or South American nation to attend?

While you need to be studying at an institution in the Caribbean or Central, North, or South America to attend, you do not need to be a citizen of a country in those regions. If you are studying outside the aforementioned geographic areas, you may be interested in learning more about the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry's (IUPAC) Green Chemistry Summer School.

Am I able to apply for a position to attend the Summer School program a second time?

Summer School is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity, so once you attend you are not eligible for future programs. If you apply and are not selected, however, you are welcome to reapply by submitting a full application package.

Although I'm under consideration for a place in a PhD program, I won't know if I'll be formally enrolled during Summer School's program dates until after your application deadline passes. May I still apply?

Unfortunately, no. Students need to be certain that they will be enrolled in graduate or postdoctoral programs during our program dates when they apply to be eligible for our program. 

What languages are spoken at Summer School?

The official conference language is English. Attendees must be able to understand graduate level classroom lectures and written materials, as well as engage in personal and professional conversations, in English. All application materials, including advisor letters of nomination, must be in English.

Am I required to attend all sessions during the week?

Students are expected to attend all class lectures and poster sessions in their entirety. (Poster presentation is optional but strongly encouraged.) Be prepared to arrive on time, pay attention, and contribute to discussions and group work. Please be considerate of your fellow students, instructors and staff, and vendors. And have fun and make friends!

I need a visa to enter the United States. Will you arrange that for me?

You are responsible for applying and making related arrangements to obtain an appropriate visa when needed. We will reimburse you for the cost of your visa post-conference. You will be reimbursed for the cost of the visa and any reciprocity fees, but not for any additional expenses related to obtaining it, such as travel and postage. If you need a visa, you will receive a letter to present to the embassy or consulate that you designate on your Supplemental Information Form upon acceptance. Our summer program is considered an educational conference and not a formal school, so participants will most likely enter the United States on visitor visas (B1), rather than student visas.

 

What costs are covered?
  • A round-trip coach-class (economy) transportation between your home and the Summer School location (international or national)
  • Housing on-campus at the Summer School location
  • On-campus dining at the Summer School location
  • Reimbursable expenses such as:
    • Meals during your travel to and from the Summer School location
    • Airline fee for first checked bag
    • Mileage for those who might be driving to the Summer School location
    • Airport parking
    • Transport to your home local airport
  • Details about reimbursable expenses will be provided in the acceptance packet.

 

ACS GCI's Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference

The 2026 Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference will be held June 15–18, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas, with the theme Sustainable Chemistry for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Learn More