DBC Undergraduate Award in Biochemistry or Chemical Biology

PURPOSE: The DBC Undergraduate Award in Biochemistry or Chemical Biology is intended to recognize a graduating senior who displays a significant aptitude for biochemistry or chemical biology and to encourage further interest in the field. The award is administered by the Division of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology (BIOL) of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Nominations Will Open 2/15

  • The award consists of a certificate signed by the division chair, and a commemorative pin. Awardees will receive a message recognizing their accomplishments from the Division Chair, and will be eligible to apply for BIOL division travel awards, as well as be eligible to be nominated for and receive the Young Investigator awards for 2-years of receiving this award.

  • This award was established by the Division in 2024.

  • ACS-approved Departments of Chemistry or Biochemistry that offer Bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry or Chemical Biology are invited to select their program’s top graduating senior student for receipt of this award. The individual selected will have demonstrated excellence in a combination of biochemistry or chemical biology coursework and research, have contributed to the department’s programs through service, and have a desire to pursue a career in biochemistry or chemical biology. Selection criteria are left to the nominating institution—no nomination letter is needed—selectees will automatically be recognized by the Division.

    We encourage departments to consider a student’s trajectory through their program accounting for difficulties encountered by the student during their studies.

    The student selected must be enrolled at the nominating institution for the 2025–2026 academic year. Nominating person will receive the pin and certificate to award to the student, and can be either the Department Chair, the Biochemistry Program Director, or the Awards’ Coordinator. We suggest that you recognize your award recipient during your institution’s senior award ceremony.

  • The 2026 Nominations are open from February 15, 2026 to April 1, 2026. Nominations received after April 1, 2026 will only receive a certificate.

  • Regina Stevens-Truss
    Undergraduate Award Coordinator
    Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan
    regina.stevens-truss@divbiolchem.org