Welch Award Guidelines

The purpose of The Robert A. Welch Award in Chemistry is to foster and encourage basic chemical research and to recognize, in a substantial manner, the value of chemical research contributions for the benefit of humankind as set forth in the will of Robert Alonzo Welch. The founder was interested in chemistry and in its service to both the betterment and the understanding of human life. We also believe this award plays an important role in aiding and strengthening the other programs of the Foundation.

In accordance with these principles, the award committee will consider any person who has made important chemical research contributions that have had a significant, positive influence on humankind. We intend that the award recognizes the contributions of an individual who has not previously been recognized in a similar manner.

Any person can submit a nomination for consideration, but no self-nominations are allowed. All nominations must be submitted using the proposalCentral application portal. Detailed instructions can downloaded from Welch1.org or from https://proposalCENTRAL.com. The nomination must include (a) a cover letter, (b) a detailed description of the research areas in chemistry on which the nomination is based, (c) a brief biographical sketch of the proposed nominee, (d) a list of 25 of the nominee's most important scientific publications, and (e) three seconding nomination letters.

Nominations must be received by 12:00 p.m. CST, on the last business day of January each year and can remain eligible for five years without revision.

Directors and officers of the Foundation and members of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Foundation may not make nominations or submit supporting letters, nor are they eligible to receive the award. Former SAB members are eligible to be nominated four (4) years after the calendar year in which they left the SAB. (Example: If an SAB member left the board at any time in 2020, they would be eligible for nomination in 2024.)

Questions should be emailed to welchaward@welch1.org.

The SAB constitutes the Welch Award Committee and considers whether or not any nominee is worthy of the award. The SAB recommends up to three nominees to the Board of Directors as qualified to receive the award and the Board of Directors make the final selection.

The recipient will be required to be present at a ceremony and banquet in Houston, Texas in the month of October. The monetary amount of the award is $500,000.