Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organic Chemistry Grant

Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellowship in Organic Chemistry Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Chemical Society
Amount: Up to US $170,000
Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Summary

The Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellowship, awarded by the American Chemical Society, recognizes outstanding achievements in organic chemistry. This two-year fellowship provides $85,000 annually to early-career researchers, promoting innovative research in sustainable organic chemistry. Candidates, nominated by their mentors, must demonstrate excellence and a commitment to inclusivity in research. The fellowship encourages participation in ACS activities, fostering career development and collaboration within the scientific community.

Overview

NOTE: Letter of Inquiry - This deadline represents when the Nomination is due. Candidates are nominated by their research advisor or academic mentor.Full Proposal - Invite Only About Arthur C. Cope Cope, an extraordinarily influential and imaginative organic chemist was born on June 27, 1909, in Dunreith, Indiana. He received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Butler University in Indianapolis in 1929 and a PhD in 1932 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His research continued at Harvard University in 1933 as a National Research Council Fellow. In 1934, he joined the faculty of Bryn Mawr College. There, his research included the first syntheses of several barbiturates, including delvinyl sodium. At Bryn Mawr, Cope also developed a reaction involving the thermal rearrangement of an allyl group which eventually became known as the Cope rearrangement. In 1941, Cope moved to Columbia University where he worked on projects associated with the war effect including chemical warfare agents, antimalarial drugs, and treatments for mustard gas poisoning. In 1945, he moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to become the head of the Department of Chemistry. Purpose To recognize individuals for their outstanding achievements in the field of organic chemistry. This two-year postdoctoral fellowship will provide intellectual and academic freedom to early-career postdoctoral researchers. Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellows will develop bold and creative new research directions in organic chemistry that can contribute to a sustainable world. Description The Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellowship (CPF) of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is a two-year postdoctoral fellowship awarded yearly to Ph.D. candidates or postdoctoral researchers within their first two years of pursuing postdoctoral research in organic chemistry. The Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellowship currently provides $85,000 per year for two years of research at a nonprofit institution in the U.S. Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to participate in ACS meetings, mentoring, and other career development activities. Candidates are nominated by their research advisor or academic mentor (including, but not limited to, their Ph.D. advisor, postdoctoral advisor, or other research mentors). They are evaluated on their outstanding contributions to organic chemistry and their potential to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in organic chemistry. Applicants must be nominated to be considered for the CPF.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Arthur C. Cope Postdoctoral Fellowship provides two years of financial support for a scientist:Who has earned or will earn a doctoral degree in the chemical sciences by November 1 of the CPF selection year or within 24 months prior, Who wishes to conduct postdoctoral research in organic chemistry in the United States (U.S.) or in an U.S. territory, Who has demonstrated excellence in organic chemistry and the potential to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in organic chemistry, and Who has demonstrated commitment to mentoring and the potential to help advance inclusivity in research. Temporary U.S. residents, U.S. citizens, and U.S. green card holders are eligible to be nominated and to apply.The award will be granted regardless of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, presence of disabilities, and educational background.