ACS Bridge Departments

The ACS Bridge Program (ACS-BP) supports underrepresented students in achieving their doctorates in chemistry and allied fields. Research indicates a disparity between the number of underrepresented students earning bachelor's degrees in these fields and those who go on to complete Ph.D.s.

The Bride Program recognizes that achieving parity between undergraduate and graduate participation requires a critical mass of institutions equipped to effectively admit and support students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Our priority is to ensure a supportive pairing between student and graduate program. To do this, we have created the opportunity for chemical science departments to partner with us to support the goal of broadening participation in the chemical sciences. Students accepted and enrolled at these partner institutions (“Fellows”) are provided with a one- to two-year bridge experience at an ACS Bridge Department institution. These Bridge Fellows receive research experience, advanced coursework, mentoring, and coaching to prepare them for graduate school success.

Join us in bridging the gap and shaping a more inclusive future for the chemical sciences!

Benefits of Becoming an ACS Bridge Department

Institutions that join us as Bridge Departments unlock a range of exclusive benefits:

  • Access to ACS-BP student application database (an annual recruitment effort by ACS to identify UR students interested in pursuing doctoral studies in the chemical sciences)
  • Public recognition by ACS of the department’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect
  • Endorsement of the graduate program to UR students in Bridge programs and to others who contact ACS to inquire about possible recommendations for departments that have supportive post-baccalaureate educational environments
  • Featured present on ACS and ACS-BP websites
  • Access to individuals involved in the program and at existing Bridge locations who are knowledgeable about support strategies for UR students in graduate studies
  • Strengthening Broader Impacts statement in federal grant applications

Photo by Rebecca I. Flores

Eligibility

Institutions that would like to be considered as an ACS Bridge Department must submit a 5-page proposal.
Proposals must be sent as a single PDF document and submitted to bridge@acs.org by June 1, 2024.

The following considerations are used in evaluating proposals:

  1. Collaboration with minority-serving institutions
  2. Engaged and committed faculty
  3. Mentoring activities
  4. Admission practices and benefits
  5. Advising and induction
  6. Student progress and monitoring procedures
  7. Data (demographics, retention rate, etc.)

Applications from departments interested in becoming Bridge partners will undergo a two-step review process.

  1. A committee comprised of the Bridge Program management and select ACS committee members will evaluate applications.
  2. Departments deemed strong candidates will be invited for a more in-depth review, either via videoconference or an on-site visit.

Photo by Rebecca I. Flores

Expectations of ACS Bridge Departments

The following are expectations for continuing as a recognized Bridge Department: Complete an annual report to share the status of the ACS-BP on your campus. The report will include institutional diversity efforts and inclusive practices, and a summary of student progress.

  • Identify and recruit students to serve as peer mentors to students brought in by the ACS-BP
  • Participate in collaborative discussions with other ACS Bridge Departments and the ACS-BP on practices that improve all programs
  • Engage faculty, staff, and students both internally and externally in discussions that improve the access to—and culture of—graduate education for all students
  • Inform ACS-BP of all offers and student acceptances from the ACS-BP application pool
  • Work with the ACS-BP to track student progress
  • Renewal of partnership status should be completed every 3 years, or with change of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), whichever happens first

Institutions that support the ACS Bridge Program

List of ACS Bridge Departments

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact our team at bridge@acs.org.