ACS Catalyst Scholarship 2026 – $10,000 Renewable for Chemistry & STEM Students

The ACS Catalyst Scholarship, offered by the American Chemical Society (ACS), is a renewable $10,000 award designed to support undergraduate students pursuing chemistry or chemistry‑related fields.

The program provides financial support to students who demonstrate financial need or hardship, helping them continue their academic journey. The application period for the 2026‑2027 academic year has now concluded, but interested students should prepare for the next cycle.

If you are looking for similar opportunities, explore fully funded scholarships in USA for international students.

Scholarship Overview

• Scholarship Amount: $10,000 (renewable)

• Recipient: Undergraduate students

• Category: Educational expenses (tuition, fees, books)

• Deadline: March 1 annually

• Contact: scholarships@acs.org

For students seeking other funded programs in North America, check latest scholarships in Canada for all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the ACS Catalyst Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Academic Status: Graduating high school seniors or undergraduates (freshman through senior) for the 2026‑2027 school year.

• Citizenship/Residency: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

• Enrollment: 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

• Career Goal: Must plan to pursue a career in the chemical sciences. This scholarship is not intended for Pre‑Med, Pharmacy, or Nursing programs.

• Academic Achievement: Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, with demonstrated high achievement in chemistry or science.

• Financial Need: Must upload your Eligibility Overview from your FAFSA Submission Summary (Student Aid Index / SAI).

Required Documents

Prepare the following materials for your application:

• 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 (located under the “Eligibility Overview” tab)

How to Apply – Step by Step

Step 1: Create an account on the ACS scholarship portal. Your email address will serve as your username.

Step 2: Locate the “2026 ACS Catalyst Scholarship” application form and click “apply.”

Step 3: Fill out the online application form and upload all required documents (recommendation letters, resume, transcripts, FAFSA eligibility overview).

Step 4: Review your application for completeness and ensure you agree to abide by the ACS Code of Conduct.

Step 5: Click “Submit” to finalize your application.

Step 6: Upon successful submission, you will receive a confirmation email from “ACS Undergraduate Scholarships.” If not received, check your spam/junk folder or verify your email address.

Step 7: If selected, accept the scholarship by May of the award year.

For additional financial aid options across North America, explore financial aids for students in North America.

Important Notes

• The scholarship is paid directly to the accredited college or university to cover essential educational expenses (tuition, fees, books).

• The application period for the 2026‑2027 academic year has already closed (deadline March 1, 2026). Prepare early for the next cycle.

• Track your application status via your online account and email.

Final Thoughts

The ACS Catalyst Scholarship is a valuable renewable award for students committed to the chemical sciences who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. With a $10,000 annual award, it can significantly reduce the cost of college. Although the 2026‑2027 cycle has concluded, mark your calendar for the March 1 deadline and start preparing your materials for the upcoming year.

For a complete list of open scholarships in the United States, visit list of all open scholarships in North America.

Apply Now for ACS Catalyst Scholarship (Next Cycle)