Call for Nominations
The Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest
The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society (NESACS) is inviting nominations for the 39th Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest. This prestigious annual award is given to a chemical scientist whose scientific and technical work has contributed significantly to the public well-being thereby communicating the positive values of the chemical profession. The awardee shall be a living resident of the United States or Canada at the time of nomination and the public impact of the work should have become apparent within the five years preceding the nomination.
There is no limitation to the field of chemistry. The selection committee focuses on the general public recognition of the work, as well as its scientific/technical significance.
The Award consists of a bronze medal and the sum of $5,000. Travel expenses incidental to the conferring of the award will be reimbursed. The award will be presented at the April 2026 meeting of the Section. The Awardee is expected to deliver an address on the subject of the work for which the honor is conferred, or for work in progress which is also directed toward chemistry in the public interest.
Nominations should be submitted as a single pdf file including: 1) a letter signed by the primary sponsor with a description of the nominee’s work recognized as making a major contribution to the public welfare and as communicating positive values of the chemical profession, plus the names of two co-sponsors; 2) short supporting co-sponsor statements; 3) the nominee’s professional biography including a list of no more than ten of the nominee’s publications selected for their pertinence to the work nominated for recognition; and 4) copies of popular and technical press news or feature articles indicative of public benefit and interest. Further information is available at https://www.nesacs.org/award/gustavus-john-esselen-award/.
Nominations Are Due October 16, 2026 to Andrew Scholte at ascholte@gmail.com with cc to jpipergrady@gmail.com. Award recipients will be notified by January 31, 2027.
Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Scholte or Ms. Piper Grady at the above emails or to Jeananne Piper Grady, Tel. (617) 620-8315. Address: 11 Thaxter St., Hingham, MA 02043.
