Purpose: To recognize excellence in basic or applied research and leadership in polymer science by scientists of all ages.
Nature: The awards are usually presented biennially in odd-numbered years at the Fall meeting of the Polymer Chemistry Division. The award consists of a plaque and an honorarium of $1000, which may be used to support travel expenses to the ACS Meeting including the Herman F. Mark Symposium, where each Mark Scholar is expected to present a lecture.
In every cycle, there will be three Mark Scholars, one from each of three categories:
1. Herman F. Mark Young Scholars, age thirty five or younger on January 1 of the year that the award is presented.
2. Herman F. Mark Scholars, between the ages of thirty-six and forty-nine on January 1 of the year that the award is presented.
3. Herman F. Mark Senior Scholars, age fifty or older on January 1 of the year that the award is presented.
Establishment and Support: The awards were established in 2006 and are sponsored by Elsevier, the publishers of the journal Polymer. The awards are administered by the Polymer Chemistry Division.
Previous Recipients: Young Scholar Award - Professor Gregory Tew; Scholar Award - Professor Craig Hawker; Senior Scholar Award - Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski
Rules for Eligibility: A nominee must be a member or affiliate of the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry. Consideration shall be given to research accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of polymer science through teaching, basic or applied research, technical leadership and scientific writings (such as technical journals or patents). The award shall be granted to an individual without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
Nomination Procedure: All submission and review of nominating documents is now being handled electronically. The nominating package, including a synopsis of the accomplishments of the nominee, curriculum vitae, and a maximum of five reprints or other supplementary material, shall be submitted electronically as pdf files to the Awards Chairman for distribution to the selection committee. A maximum of three supporting letters, which contain factual information about the candidate not provided in the nominating document, may be submitted. A single pdf file containing all the nominating and supporting information is preferred but separate pdf files are acceptable. Nominators are asked to avoid excessively lengthy nomination packages and adhere to a 100 page limit for the entire package. The nomination and its accompanying material for the 2009 award must be received by the Awards Chairs no later than November 1, 2008. Email nominating material to: Professor Robert B. Moore, Department of Chemistry, 1103 Hahn Hall (0212), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, rbmoore3@vt.edu or Professor Thomas A. P. Seery, Institute of Materials Science, U-136, University of Connecticut, 97 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3136, seery@mail.ims.uconn.edu.