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Welch Award in Chemistry

Welch Foundation

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.

Award Procedure

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.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Fundamental Chemical Research (Not Applied/Clinical)

Welch funds basic chemical science, including:

Organic, inorganic, physical, analytical chemistry

Chemical biology when advancing chemical principles

Materials chemistry with mechanistic focus

Theoretical and computational chemistry

New chemical reactions, catalysis, molecular design

❗ Applications focused primarily on biomedical outcomes, device development, or engineering are not competitive unless they clearly advance chemical knowledge.

2. Work Must Be Performed at Eligible Texas Institutions

Eligibility is limited to:

Universities and research organizations in Texas

Projects showing strong scientific benefit to the Texas research ecosystem

Predictor: Demonstrate clear Texas affiliation, infrastructure, and leadership in chemistry.

3. Strong Track Record and Momentum

Welch heavily values:

High-quality peer-reviewed publications in chemical science

Demonstrated progress from previous funding (if renewal)

PI reputation and upward trajectory in the field

Predictor: Evidence the PI is already moving the field forward in chemistry.

4. Innovation + Fundamental Scientific Advancement

Reviewers seek:

New chemical concepts, molecular mechanisms, or synthetic methodologies

Creative hypotheses with high potential impact

Approaches that shift understanding of key chemical problems

Predictor: Bold ideas backed by rigor are favored over incremental work.

5. Clear Hypothesis-Driven Research Plan

Top proposals include:

2–3 focused aims grounded in chemistry

Clear reasoning + solid preliminary evidence

Feasible timeline with realistic scope

Contingency/risk mitigation strategies

Predictor: Feasibility + impactful direction = strong priority scores.

6. Training and Mentoring Value

Welch recognizes the talent pipeline in Texas chemistry:

Undergraduate and graduate student engagement

Mentorship and educational enrichment

Access to unique training opportunities

Predictor: Strong student training plan improves competitiveness.

7. Strong Environment and Resources

Preferred:

Access to core chemical instrumentation (NMR, MS, X-ray, microscopy)

Collaborations that strengthen chemical expertise

Institutional support letters and commitments

Predictor: Infrastructure confidence boosts reviewer perception of success likelihood.

8. Long-Term Sustainability and Growth

Welch likes to fund projects that will:

Lead to substantial future proposals (NSF, DOE, NIH chemistry programs)

Establish Texas as a leader in a strategic chemical subfield

Build lasting research capability and visibility

Predictor: Position research as foundational to future breakthroughs.

9. Strong Grant Writing Quality

Successful proposals are:

Clear, concise, and well-organized

Rich in chemical rationale and figures

Accessible to chemical experts across subdisciplines

Fully compliant with formatting and budgets

Predictor: Persuasive writing can move borderline proposals into a fundable range.

🏆 Summary — Welch Foundation Success Predictors

Predictor	Why It Matters
Pure chemistry focus	Core mission
Texas institution affiliation	Eligibility requirement
Strong publication record	Execution credibility
Innovation in chemical principles	High review priority
Feasible, well-structured aims	Likelihood of success
Student training	Mission alignment
Resources + collaboration strength	Rigor and robustness
Long-term research impact	Strategic investment
Strong writing	Reviewer enthusiasm

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Eligibility Requirements

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.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Welch Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: PO Box 27944 Houston, TX 77227 713.961.9884 info@welch1.org

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