Deadline for applications is November 1 of odd numbered years
The Mark Scholar Awards were established in 2006 to recognize excellence in basic or applied research and leadership in polymer science by scientists of all ages. The awards are administered by the POLY division of the ACS. The award is presented biennially at the fall ACS National meeting (even years) during the POLY/PMSE award program. In each award cycle, one Mark Scholar from each of three categories is awarded:
- Mark Young Scholar: age 35 or younger on January 1 of the year that the award is presented.
- Mark Scholar: between the ages of 36 and 49 on January 1 of the year that the award is presented.
- Mark Senior Scholar: age 50 or older on January 1 of the year that the award is presented.
Award: Awardees will receive a plaque and an honorarium of $1,500 which may be used towards expenses to attend the national ACS meeting at which the award is presented. The recipient is expected to present at a symposium in honor of the Mark Scholars Awardee at the fall ACS National meeting following the award announcement, organized by the POLY division programming chair and nominator. The award shall be granted to an individual without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Eligibility: A nominee must be a member or affiliate of the POLY division of ACS. Consideration will be given for research accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of polymer science through teaching, basic or applied research, technical leadership and scientific writings (such as technical journals or patents).
Nomination: Nominators must be a member or affiliate of the POLY division. Nomination packages should be sent by email as a single PDF file to the POLY division business office at carleel@vt.edu and should include (in order):
- A completed application form
- One nomination letter that highlights the impact of the nominee’s work in the specific award area (2 pages maximum)
- Nominee’s curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum, tailored to award)
- A complete list of scholarly works relevant to the award (e.g., publications, books, etc.)
Previous Awardees
| 2024 | Heather Maynard Brent Sumerlin Zachariah Page |
Mark Senior Scholar Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
| 2022 | Marc Hillmyer Kathryn Beers Zachary Hudson |
Mark Senior Scholar Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
| 2020 | Karen Winey Luis Campos Frank Leibfarth |
Mark Senior Scholar Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
| 2017 | James Hedrick Christopher Bowman Garret Miyake |
Mark Senior Scholar Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
| 2015 | Stuart Rowan Bardley Olsen |
Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
| 2013 | Rigoberto Advincula Rachel O’Reilly |
Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
| 2011 | Jimmy Mays Timothy Long Javid Rzayev |
Mark Senior Scholar Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
| 2009 | Jim Crivello Karen Wooley |
Mark Senior Scholar Mark Scholar |
| 2007 | Krysztof Matyjaszewski Craig Hawker Greg Tew |
Mark Senior Scholar Mark Scholar Mark Young Scholar |
For information on previous awardees: