CAS Future Leaders™ Call for Applications

Question 1

Am I eligible to apply?

Answer

You must be a current Ph.D. student (or plan to be enrolled in a Ph.D. program in 2025) or postdoctoral scholar in chemistry or related science, with a working knowledge of multiple research information tools.

Question 2

How do you define “postdoctoral scholar”?

Answer

We consider a postdoctoral scholar as an individual who has received a doctoral degree (or equivalent) and is engaged in a temporary period of mentored advanced training to enhance the professional skills and research independence needed to pursue their chosen career path. We acknowledge that while the duration of postdoctoral training varies, typically, this period is between two to five years. Training occurs in and prepares postdoctoral scholars for careers in academia, industry, nonprofits, government institutions, or to engage in entrepreneurship around the world (adapted from NSF/NIH).

Question 3

What are the program dates?

Answer

December 2, 2024 - Call for applications opens
January 26, 2025 - Call for applications closes
March 2025 - Selection announcement
August 11-16, 2025 - CAS Future Leaders in Columbus, OH
August 17-21, 2025 - ACS Fall 2025 in Washington, DC

Question 4

What are the primary application requirements?

Answer

You must provide the following documents:

Essay
Curriculum vitae or résumé
Letter of recommendation

To submit your application, you also must agree to the CAS Future Leaders Terms & Conditions.

Question 5

What should my essay include?

Answer

Your 500- to 1,000-word essay should describe:

Your current research projects and future goals
The value of CAS SciFinder or other scientific information solutions to your research

Essays will be evaluated based on originality and clarity of the writing and must be written in English. Tables/figures and references do not count against the word limit. You may include up to 2 tables/figures.

Question 6

What should the letter of recommendation include?

Answer

Your letter of recommendation should be written by an advisor, mentor, or supervisor and should describe:

How they know you
Your research achievements
Your potential for science leadership
Your unique qualifications for the program

Question 7

Who should I select for my letter of recommendation?

Answer

You should select the advisor, mentor, or supervisor who best knows your research achievements and potential for science leadership. It does not need to be your current advisor, mentor, or supervisor.

Question 8

How will I be contacted if I am selected?

Answer

The 35 applicants who are determined to have the greatest potential for science leadership will be contacted by email in March 2025.

Question 9

How are CAS Future Leaders selected?

Answer

Potential for science leadership will be assessed based on the overall quality of your application materials. Reviewers include the CAS Future Leaders team, CAS leadership across the organization, and a team of scientists responsible for the intellectual indexing of journal articles and patents for the CAS Content Collection^TM.

Question 10

What travel-related expenses are covered by CAS?

Answer

CAS will arrange and pay for:

Air travel to Columbus, ACS Fall 2025, and home
Hotel stays in Columbus and Washington, DC
Registration for ACS Fall 2025
Meals and shuttle transportation in Columbus

In addition, $1,000 USD will be provided to offset any other travel-related expenses.

Question 11

Who should I contact with questions about the program?

Answer

Email the CAS Future Leaders team at futureleaders@cas.org.

CAS Future Leaders™ Call for Applications

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