For more details about applying for a scholarship, visit www.chemistry.org/scholars or call 1-800-227-5558, extension 6250.
African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native American students who are pursuing studies in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, environmental science and related disciplines at two- and four-year colleges are eligible to receive renewable awards of $2,500 to $3,000. The Society expects to award approximately $850,000 this academic year to academically accomplished underrepresented minorities.
Relatively few minorities pursue chemistry-related careers, according to a report prepared by the Society. In 2000, for example, Hispanics/Latinos, who make up 14 percent of the U.S. population, represented less than 3 percent of the chemistry workforce; African Americans, at almost 12 percent of the population, comprised less than 2 percent of the chemical workforce; and Native Americans, representing 1 percent of the population, made up less than 1 percent of the chemical workforce.
More than 1,350 students have received financial support from the ACS, based on a mix of academic achievement and financial need, since the Scholars Program was launched with a $5 million grant in 1995. The program is a winner of the 2001 President's Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, and the 1997 Award of Excellence from the American Society of Association Executives.
Several collaborating partners, including AstraZeneca, Bayer, the Dreyfus Foundation, Dupont, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble and Xerox, have contributed $100,000 or more to the Scholars Program. PPG Industries Foundation, Inc. — a founding partner of the program — has contributed more than $500,000. Many companies also offer mentoring and paid internships to selected program participants as part of a student's academic and career development plan.