ACS Scholars Program Accepting Applications

Newswise — Applications are being accepted now through March 1, 2008, for the 2008-2009 American Chemical Society Scholars Program. Applicants should be African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian students who are high school seniors, or college freshmen, sophomores or juniors. They must plan to major in or already be majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering or a chemically-related science, and they must plan to pursue a career in the chemical sciences.

ACS established the Scholars program in 1995 to attract underrepresented minorities to the chemistry field and to build awareness of the many opportunities for a career in chemistry. In addition to financial support, the program provides mentoring and research and networking opportunities that help students acquire the skills and credentials needed for a successful career.

Since its inception, the ACS Scholars Program has awarded more than $10.2 million to more than 1,880 students, based on a mix of academic achievement and financial need. Cumulatively, these students have attended more than 400 colleges and universities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. Through the support of the program's partners and donors, the Society expects to award approximately $1 million during the 2008-2009 academic year, to both new and continuing Scholars. Scholarships range from $1,000 - $5,000 depending on college level and economic need.

To date, 95 percent of the students accepted into the ACS Scholars program have received an undergraduate degree. In addition, about 400 Scholars have continued on to pursue a graduate degree. More than 150 have been accepted into a Ph.D. program and more than 30 Scholars have already received a Ph.D.

Program partners include founding partner, PPG Industries Foundation, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline; The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation; Schering-Plough; Xerox; Procter & Gamble; 3M; AstraZeneca; Bayer; Dow Corning; Dow Chemical; and DuPont. The program is also supported through the generosity of many individual donors and ACS members, including more than 60 former ACS Scholars.

For additional details about the ACS Scholars Program and an online application form, visit the http://www.acs.org/scholars or call 1-800-227-5558, extension 6250, or e-mail to [email protected].

The American Chemical Society " the world's largest scientific society " is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.