Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach Grant

Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Chemical Society
Amount: Up to US $4,000
Last Updated: November 09, 2025

Summary

The Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach, established by the American Chemical Society, recognizes outstanding volunteer achievements in public outreach that enhance public appreciation for chemistry. Awardees, selected based on their advocacy, creativity, and impact, receive a crystal award and a $2,000 prize. Nominees must be ACS members whose volunteer efforts have significantly increased public awareness of chemistry's importance. This annual award highlights activities that engage diverse audiences, promoting the significance of chemical sciences in everyday life.

Overview

Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach Purpose To recognize outstanding volunteer achievements in the field of public outreach by a member of the ACS who improves public recognition and appreciation for the contributions of chemistry. Description This annual award was established in 1995 by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Public Relations and Communications. Winners receive a crystal award and a $2,000 prize. For the purposes of this award, “public outreach” activities are defined as those that reach lay audiences, as opposed to science professionals. The award selection committee will consider such factors as the nominee’s personal advocacy and involvement in volunteer public outreach initiatives; development or expansions of ideas, materials, and/or resources for volunteer programs; and overall impact on the public. Qualifying activities include lectures, presentations, demonstrations, seminars, symposia, and exhibits intended for the public; newspaper or magazine articles, social media posts, and interviews; radio, television, and online appearances; and hands-on science activities with children and/or adults. In-person venues may include schools, libraries, places of worship, museums, parks, shopping malls, and other public places. Audiences may include civic, fraternal, religious, youth, and professional (non-science) groups. The activities may be local, national, or international. Major criteria for the Helen M. Free Award include: Overall impact of workSustained volunteer efforts in public outreachCreativity, innovation and collaboration in outreach activitiesVisibility of workScope and reach of audienceSignificance of messaging in understanding chemical science and its applications Judging Process The award is presented annually at the ChemLuminary Awards ceremony, which is held during the fall ACS meeting. The ACS provides complimentary travel and hotel accommodations of up to $2,000 for the awardee and one guest (in addition to the $2,000 prize for the awardee).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. A nominee must be an ACS member (Premium or Standard category) in good standing whose volunteer efforts have increased the public’s awareness and understanding of the importance of chemistry or chemical engineering. The nominee must have made a major effort to reach the public with positive messages about the contributions of the chemical sciences to a better quality of life.Nominees have usually performed volunteer public outreach for more than five years, and winners often have exhibited a lifetime commitment to volunteer public outreach. Prior nomination does not exclude a candidate for consideration in subsequent years.While nominees may be professionally involved in public outreach (either self-employed or as an employee of a corporation or organization), the volunteer activities for which they are nominated must be performed without financial compensation (i.e., not as part of their job).Any individual may submit a nomination; self-nominations will be accepted from those who meet the eligibility criteria listed above.Winners must agree to be present to receive their awards unless prevented by circumstances beyond their control. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. A nominee must be an ACS member (Premium or Standard category) in good standing whose volunteer efforts have increased the public’s awareness and understanding of the importance of chemistry or chemical engineering.

Ineligibility

Employees of the ACS are not eligible.