About the Awards

Established in 2007, The Merck Index Women in Chemistry Scholarships are designed to encourage women to pursue careers in medicinal or synthetic organic chemistry. Each year, Merck will present five, $5000 scholarships to women entering into their first year of an organic chemistry PhD program in the United States or Canada.

In addition to the five scholarship winners, Merck will present special recognition awards in the amount of $500 to up to 10 students.

The awards are presented at the American Chemical Society Fall National Meeting and Exposition, at the Women in Industry Breakfast. The winners present their undergraduate research at a symposium sponsored by the Women Chemists Committee. The special recognition awardees present their undergraduate research at a poster session, also sponsored by the WCC. For examples of the award-winning research presentations, please click here to view the 2009 program.

Participating in this program provides invaluable experience for young scientists to attend a national meeting and present their work. As winners of these awards, students have the opportunity to network with successful scientists from Merck, the Women Chemists Committee, and across the ACS. This program also introduces students to their peers, hopefully establishing a network of friends and future colleagues in chemistry.

Click here for more information about the types of events held in conjunction with the scholarship program.

Merck sponsors the cost of meeting registration for all winners to attend and present at the ACS meeting, in addition to one year of ACS membership dues if students are new ACS members. Merck also provides tickets for all student winners to attend the Women in Industry Breakfast.

For more information, please contact The Merck Index staff at: merck_index@merck.com.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 program

VIEW FULL CRITERIA AND APPLICATION FORM