American Chemical Society Prepare CTP Seed Grant

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the broader chemistry enterprise and supporting the development of a skilled workforce. Through its Fostering a Skilled Technical Workforce Initiative, ACS offers the Preparing Chemical Technical Professionals Grant program to strengthen pathways into technical careers in chemistry. This program is designed to support institutions that play a critical role in workforce preparation, particularly community and technical colleges that train individuals for laboratory and support roles within the chemical industry. The purpose of this grant is to expand student access to training, career pathways, and employer connections for chemical technical professionals. These roles, which typically do not require doctoral degrees, are essential to laboratory operations and the overall chemical enterprise. The grant prioritizes projects that connect education with workforce needs and produce measurable community impact. By funding targeted initiatives, the program aims to enhance institutional capacity, strengthen partnerships with local employers, and improve student readiness for in-demand careers. Funding is provided for projects with a maximum duration of one year, with awards of up to 20000 dollars. Allowable uses of funds include student support such as scholarships or stipends, development of work based learning opportunities like internships and cooperative education, improvements to learning environments through equipment or curriculum, and faculty leadership activities that enable program development and partnership building. However, the grant explicitly excludes support for activities focused on transfer student populations. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required but may be included voluntarily. Eligibility is limited to accredited United States based community and technical colleges that offer associate degrees, certificates, or workforce training programs aligned with chemical technical professional careers. Institutions that have previously received funding under this program may apply again for new or continuation projects. Project leaders must be faculty or administrators engaged in relevant programs, although a formal degree in chemistry is not required. The program encourages applications that reflect institutional strengths and local workforce needs. Applications must be submitted through the ACS application system and include a complete set of materials such as a project summary, a detailed project narrative, an itemized budget and justification, and personnel biosketches. The narrative must address vision, goals, institutional context, and implementation strategy, demonstrating alignment with workforce needs and measurable outcomes. Proposals are evaluated by subject matter experts who independently score submissions based on criteria such as impact, feasibility, and alignment with program goals. The application timeline begins with submissions opening on July 23 2026 and closing on September 23 2026. The review process may take up to eight weeks, after which applicants are notified of funding decisions. Awarded projects are expected to run during the 2027 calendar year, beginning no later than May 31 2027. Grantees must participate in reporting and engagement activities, including mid award and final reports, required meetings with ACS staff, and quarterly cohort sessions to share progress and lessons learned. The program does not list a specific individual contact but provides a general contact email for inquiries. There is no indication of recurring cycles explicitly stated, though the structured annual timeline suggests the program may be offered regularly. Overall, the PrepareCTP Grant represents a targeted investment in workforce development, institutional capacity, and equitable access to careers in the chemical technical field.

Focus on demonstrating clear workforce alignment measurable student outcomes and strong employer partnerships