WELCOME TO THE MINNESOTA LOCAL ACS SECTION WEBSITE
The Minnesota Local Section (#513) of the American Chemical society serves chemists, chemical engineers, educators, and the general public in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is the world's largest scientific society and one of the world's leading sources of authoritative scientific information. A nonprofit organization, chartered by Congress, ACS is at the forefront of the evolving worldwide chemical enterprise and the premier professional home for chemists, chemical engineers and related professions around the globe. Learn more about the history, mission and vision of the American Chemical Society here. Become an ACS member here.
​
For more information about future meetings, please use the "Meetings" link.
​
For more information about current activities the local section is involved in, please use the "Activities" link.
​
If you are interested in volunteering, please use the "Contact Us" link to send a message letting us know where you would like to help and we will get back to you. For specific information on what roles need filling, please use the "Officers" link.
​
For more information about National ACS, please use the "Resources" link or go to the ACS website.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Meeting dates are being set for 2026. Come back for more information soon!
​​​
Click the "Meetings" link for more information.
ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHT
Chemists in the Library
If you are interested in volunteering Chemists in the Library events, please contact Phil Buhlman (click on "Contact Us" link to request contact information). No preparation is needed before the events and no commitment has to be made; you can sign up for one event at a time. The next Chemists in the Library event for 2026 is March 21st at 1:30pm at Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings. For further information, click on "Chemists in the Library" under the "Activities" link.​​
​​​​
Click on the "Activities" link for more information.
OTHER NEWS
​2026 ACS Travel Grants from the MN ACS Section
Grants are available to support travel to the Spring 2026 ACS National Meeting in Atlanta, GA, March 22-26, 2026, or a regional ACS meeting held prior to August 2026. Two $1000 travel grants are available for graduate students, and a single $500 travel grant is available for chemistry faculty at PUI or community colleges. Application criteria and instructions can be found in the grant application links below. The submission deadline is March 6, 2026. Decisions will be communicated by March 13, 2026. Grant submissions and questions about these programs can be sent to Paul J. Fischer (click on "Contact Us" link to request contact information).
Graduate Travel Grant Application
PUICC Travel Grant Application​
​​
Call for Nominations
Nominations for the 2026 MN ACS Awards are now open! There are two awards available: the Minnesota Chemist Award, and the Lyle Hall and Janet Tarino Volunteer Award. Descriptions and nomination requirements are outlined below. The deadline for nominations is March 31st. Please submit nominations or any questions to Ramesh Kumar (click on "Contact Us" link to request contact information).
-
Minnesota Chemist Award​ - Established in 1958, this award honors members who have made outstanding contributions to chemical research or service to the profession. The recipient will receive a bronze plaque and a $600 cash award, and will deliver a presentation to the MN ACS section in May at the local section meeting. To nominate someone, please provide a nomination letter, the nominee's CV or resume, and up to four supporting letters highlighting the nominee's achievements.
-
Lyle Hall and Janet Tarino Volunteer Award - Starting this year, the Lyle Hall Senior Chemist Award and the Janet Tarino Volunteer Award have been combined. This award recognizes individuals for outstanding volunteer service to the MN ACS or chemistry-related community outreach. The volunteer activities may include volunteer ACS service, volunteer activities in any other scientific organization such as the MN Academy of Science (i.e. Science Fair Judging), professional writing, consulting, and/or research. The recipient will receive a bronze plaque and a $500 cash award, and will present a brief description of their activities to the MN ACS section in May at the local section meeting. To nominate someone, please provide examples of volunteer service, the nominee's CV or resume, and up to two supporting letters highlighting the nominee's service.
​​
Committee Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking to enhance your leadership, project management, and networking skills? Volunteering as a committee chair for the Minnesota Local Section of the ACS is a fantastic way to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact! We are currently seeking passionate leaders for the following committees:​
-
Public Affairs - serves as a bridge between the chemistry community and policymakers, advocating for science-related policies and engaging the public on key issues
-
Government Affairs - plays a key role in advocating for science policy and fostering relationships between the chemistry community and government officials
-
Minority Affairs - plays a key role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the MN ACS
If you're interested in learning more, please reach out to Sarah Dimick Gray (click on "Contact Us" link to request contact information) to explore these opportunities. Take the next step in your leadership journey - get involved today!​