The Physical Chemistry Division sponsors four annual awards that are intended to recognize the most outstanding scientific achievements of its members. One award will be given to an established scientist and one to an ``early-career'' researcher (those in the first 10 years* of their independent careers) in each of theoretical chemistry and experimental physical chemistry. The nomination window will be open until November 1st, 2019, and details regarding procedures and eligibility for each award are given below. Winners will be announced by mid-February 2020.

*See below for eligibility for ACS PHYS EC members.
The general nomination form (which applies to all four awards) may be found here (in MS-Word docx format) or here (in PDF). Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The awards will be granted regardless of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, presence of disabilities, and educational background.

Purpose: To recognize outstanding contributions in experimental physical chemistry

Nature: The recipient will receive a plaque and will be invited to present his/her work at the fall ACS meeting that immediately follows the announcement of the award. In addition, the Division will pay up to $1,500 to cover the travel, lodging, and meal expenses for the award winner while at that ACS meeting. The winner will also be invited to the Sunday evening dinner following the PHYS Executive Committee meeting.

Eligibility: Eligibility is restricted to Physical Chemistry Division members who, at the time of the nomination, have not yet won a national award from a scientific society that is based on the nominee's scientific accomplishments. Members of the National Academy of Science are also ineligible, but fellowship in a professional society is not considered a national award in this context. The intent of this award is to recognize a top-notch mid- or senior-career scientist who is a key player in the physical chemistry community with a long history of exemplary research contributions but not a commensurate level of national or international recognitions. At the time of the nomination, current serving members of the PHYS Division Executive Committee in any capacity, including subdivisions and councilors as well as individuals who are up for election to these positions, are ineligible for nomination for this award until after their term of service.

Sponsor: PHYS Division

Established in 2010, updated in 2019

Purpose: To recognize outstanding contributions in theoretical chemistry

Nature: The recipient will receive a plaque and will be invited to the next Telluride School on Theoretical Chemistry (TSTC), which are held every other summer, starting in 2009. At that meeting, he/she will present a plenary lecture and receive the award. The TSTC will pay up to $1,500 to cover travel, lodging, and meal expenses for the Award winner while at the TSTC. The recipient will also be invited to present his/her work at the fall ACS meeting that immediately follows the announcement of the award. In addition, the Division will pay up to $1,500 to cover the travel, lodging, and meal expenses for the award winner while at that ACS meeting. The winner will also be invited to the Sunday evening dinner following the PHYS Executive Committee meeting.

Eligibility: Eligibility is restricted to Physical Chemistry Division members who, at the time of the nomination, have not yet won a national award from a scientific society that is based on the nominee's scientific accomplishments. Members of the National Academy of Science are also ineligible, but fellowship in a professional society is not considered a national award in this context. The intent of this award is to recognize a top-notch mid- or senior-career scientist who is a key player in the physical chemistry community with a long history of exemplary research contributions but not a commensurate level of national or international recognitions. At the time of the nomination, currently serving members of the PHYS Division Executive Committee in any capacity, including subdivisions and councilors as well as individuals who are up for election to these positions, are ineligible for nomination for this award until after their term of service.

Sponsor: PHYS Division and the Telluride School on Theoretical Chemistry

Established in 2008, updated in 2019

Purpose: To recognize outstanding contributions in experimental and theoretical physical chemistry by young investigators

Nature: Two awards will be given each year - one each in theoretical and experimental physical chemistry - to honor achievements by investigators in the early stages of their careers. Each recipient will receive a plaque, and will be invited to present a lecture at the fall ACS meeting that immediately follows the announcement of the award. In addition, the Division will pay up to $1,500 to cover the travel, lodging, and meal expenses for the award winner while at that ACS meeting. Winners will also be invited to the Sunday evening dinner following the PHYS Executive Committee meeting.

Eligibility: Eligibility is restricted to Physical Chemistry Division members who, at the time of the nomination, are in the first ten (10) years of their careers as independent researchers. At the time of the nomination, currently serving members of the PHYS Division Executive Committee in any capacity, including subdivisions and councilors, as well as individuals who are up for election to these positions, are ineligible for nomination for this award until after their term of service. Any nominees that has served on the PHYS Exec Committee are eligible for the first twelve (12) years of the careers as independent researchers. Previous awardees of the JPC/PHYS Lectureships are not eligible.

Sponsor: PHYS Division

Established in 2012, updated in 2019