Research Grants
“This work has the potential to run the spectrum from fundamental academic discovery and mechanistic study, to the undergraduate teaching lab, to commercial application.”
Key Research Areas
The GCIPR periodically identifies key research areas representing the industry’s perspective on where advances in understanding would be most likely to yield more sustainable chemistries and processes of interest to pharma and allied industries. From these areas, the GCIPR selects a handful each year for Key Research Area Grants—currently a $80,000 award for a 12-month research commitment. Grant winners work closely with the GCIPR focus team who proposed the grant topic.
Ignition Grants
The Ignition Grant program launched in 2016 to support high-risk, high-reward projects that aims to accelerate progress in green chemistry technologies by incentivizing innovation. Ignition grants currently provide recipients with $40,000 over six months. Award winners work closely with appropriate GCIPR members depending on the topic.
Grant Timeline
Where we are now:
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March 15
RFPs issued -
May 15
Grant proposals due -
September 15
Grants awarded -
October 1
Work begins
Research Grants Awarded
Over $4 million dollars of research has been funded by the ACS GCI Pharmaceutical Roundtable since their grant program began in 2007.
- All
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biocatalysis
- Biopharma
- Catalysis
- Chemical Transformations
- Continuous Flow
- Electrochemistry
- Greener Solvents
- Ignition
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Membrane Development
- Oligonucleotides
- Peptides
- Photochemistry
Sustainable Solvent Production
Neil Dixon, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, $40,000 “Sustainable Solvent Production”
A Versatile Approach to Carboxylic Acid Derivatives with Earth Abundant Catalysts and Visible Light
Bruce Arndtsen, McGill University, $40,000 “A Versatile Approach to Carboxylic Acid Derivatives with Earth Abundant Catalysts and Visible Light”
Dihydroxylation of Propellanes via Tandem Cycloaddition/Hydrogenation of Photoexcited Nitroarenes
Marvin Parasram, New York University, $40,000 “Dihydroxylation of Propellanes via Tandem Cycloaddition/Hydrogenation of Photoexcited Nitroarenes”
Aminomutase-Inspired Green Radical Amination
Jeffrey Lipshultz, Stony Brook University, $40,000 “Aminomutase-Inspired Green Radical Amination”
Overcoming light penetration challenges in photochemical reactions through a micro-LED packed bed reactor
Andrew Teixeira and Patricia Musacchio of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, $80,000 “Overcoming light penetration challenges in photochemical reactions through a micro-LED packed bed reactor”
Realizing the advantages of alternating polarity electrosynthesis at constant potential through controlled mass transport
Marcel Schreier and Shannon Stahl of the University of Wisconsin Madison, $80,000 “Realizing the advantages of alternating polarity electrosynthesis at constant potential through controlled mass transport”
Biocatalytic Synthesis of Phosphorothioate-Containing Nucleosides
Hans Renata of Rice University, $80,000 “Biocatalytic Synthesis of Phosphorothioate-Containing Nucleosides”
New technology for continuous flow liquid-phase sustainable synthesis of therapeutic peptides
Walter Cabri, Alessandra Tolomelli, and Lucia Ferrazzano, University of Bologna, $80,000 “New technology for continuous flow liquid-phase sustainable synthesis of therapeutic peptides”
Electrocatalytic Functionalization of Commodity Alcohols to Produce Valuable Amines and Amides
Yu Zhao, National University of Singapore, $25,000 “Electrocatalytic Functionalization of Commodity Alcohols to Produce Valuable Amines and Amides”
Enzymatic synthesis of C-nucleosides
Jesús Fernández Lucas, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain, $25,000 “Enzymatic synthesis of C-nucleosides”
Oligonucleotide synthesis by resonant acoustic mixing (RAM)
Masad J. Damha, McGill University, $50,000 “Oligonucleotide synthesis by resonant acoustic mixing (RAM)”
Selective reduction of aromatic rings in advanced scaffolds in flow reactors with non-noble metal catalysis under mild conditions
Jack Norton and Aaron Moment, Columbia University, $50,000 “Selective reduction of aromatic rings in advanced scaffolds in flow reactors with non-noble metal catalysis under mild conditions”
Greening’ Pharmaceutical Analysis Using Gas Chromatography
Nicholas Snow, Seton Hall University, $50,000 “‘Greening’ Pharmaceutical Analysis Using Gas Chromatography”
Bifunctional Organocatalysts for Sustainable Peptide Bond Formation
Christopher Sandford, Dartmouth College, $50,000 “Bifunctional Organocatalysts for Sustainable Peptide Bond Formation”
Simplified PAT Strategies for Calibration-Free Real-Time Data Gathering and Utilization in Automated Flow Chemistry Platforms
C. Oliver Kappe, University of Graz, Austria, $50,000 “Simplified PAT Strategies for Calibration-Free Real-Time Data Gathering and Utilization in Automated Flow Chemistry Platforms”
Application of a PLP-dependent Mannich cyclase for biocatalytic synthesis of heterocyclic quaternary α-amino acids
Yang Hai, University of California Santa Barbara, $50,000 “Application of a PLP-dependent Mannich cyclase for biocatalytic synthesis of heterocyclic quaternary α-amino acids”
Exploring fitness landscapes of enzymes for chiral synthesis
Florian Hollfelder, University of Cambridge, $25,000 “Exploring fitness landscapes of enzymes for chiral synthesis”
Enzymatic nitration strategies for the biocatalytic synthesis of nitrogen containing molecules
Mélanie Hall, University of Graz, Austria, $25,000 “Enzymatic nitration strategies for the biocatalytic synthesis of nitrogen containing molecules”
Photocatalytic Carbon-Carbon Bond Activation and Functionalization to Access Unnatural α-Amino Acids
Han Sen Soo, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, $25,000 “Photocatalytic Carbon-Carbon Bond Activation and Functionalization to Access Unnatural α-Amino Acids”
Copper-Catalyzed Carbon-Carbon Coupling of Alcohols and Alkenes
Qiu Wang, Duke University, $25,000 “Copper-Catalyzed Carbon-Carbon Coupling of Alcohols and Alkenes”
Tunable Catalytic C(sp3)-H Functionalization of Heterocyclic Scaffolds
Jennifer Schomaker, University of Wisconsin-Madison, $50,000 “Tunable Catalytic C(sp3)-H Functionalization of Heterocyclic Scaffolds”
Biocatalytic Synthesis of Challenging Noncanonical Amino Acids
Hans Renata, Scripps Research, $50,000 “Biocatalytic Synthesis of Challenging Noncanonical Amino Acids”
Improvement of Peptide Yield and Solvent Reuse via Membrane Enhanced Peptides Synthesis
Malgorzata Chwatko, University of Kentucky, $50,000 “Improvement of Peptide Yield and Solvent Reuse via Membrane Enhanced Peptides Synthesis”
Learning to Extrude Chemical Reactions
Duncan Browne, University College of London, $50,000 “Learning to Extrude Chemical Reactions”
Oxidative C–N Cross-Coupling Enabled by Iron Photochemistry
Tehshik P. Yoon, University of Wisconsin-Madison, $25,000“Oxidative C–N Cross-Coupling Enabled by Iron Photochemistry”
Cups: An Atom efficient and low-waste producing method of inverse solid-phase peptide synthesis
Matthew A. Hostetler, Marshall University, $25,000“Cups: An Atom efficient and low-waste producing method of inverse solid-phase peptide synthesis”
Biocatalytic C-H bond Functionalization for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched Amines and Amides
Soumitra Athavale & Frances H. Arnold, California Institute of Technology, $25,000“Biocatalytic C-H bond Functionalization for the Synthesis of Enantioenriched Amines and Amides”
Developing New Surfactants for Easy Separation
Martin Andersson, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), $25,000“Developing New Surfactants for Easy Separation”
Improved synthesis of nucleotide blockmers using a precipitative soluble
2020 Grant Winner: Pasi Virta, University of Turku, $50,000 Pasi Virta, Ph.D., professor of bio-organics at the University of Turku, Finland, has been awarded $50,000 for his research titled “Improved synthesis of nucleotide blockmers using a precipitative soluble.” This research addresses the Roundtable’s goal to optimize oligonucleotide technology and address the environmental challenge of current […]
Develop membranes for pressure-driven separation of solutes and solvents in the 50-600 Da range from API synthesis mixtures
Kamalesh K. Sirkar, New Jersey Institute of Technology, $50,000“Develop membranes for pressure-driven separation of solutes and solvents in the 50-600 Da range from API synthesis mixtures”
Bioinspired Metal-Organic Frameworks as Heterogeneous Catalysts for Peptide Synthesis
Tristan Lambert & Phillip Milner, Cornell University, $50,000“Bioinspired Metal-Organic Frameworks as Heterogeneous Catalysts for Peptide Synthesis”
Towards an Electro-Catalytic Wittig Reaction
Arnaud Voituriez, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, $25,000“Towards an Electro-Catalytic Wittig Reaction”
A New Approach to Catalyst Immobilization Research: Designing Molecular Catalysts for Heterogeneous Catalysis
Aaron Vannucci, University of South Carolina, $25,000“A New Approach to Catalyst Immobilization Research: Designing Molecular Catalysts for Heterogeneous Catalysis”
Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Heterocycles
Mark Mason, The University of Toledo, $25,000“Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Heterocycles”
Baroc, a Green α-Amino Protecting Group for Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis
Fernando Albericio and Beatriz G. de la Torre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, $25,000“Baroc, a Green α-Amino Protecting Group for Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis”
A Study of the Environmental Impact of Analytical and Preparative Scale Supercritical Fluid Chromatographic Processes
Susan Olesik, The Ohio State University, $46,996“A Study of the Environmental Impact of Analytical and Preparative Scale Supercritical Fluid Chromatographic Processes”
C–N Attached-Ring Synthesis by Markovnikov Hydroamination
Ryan Shenvi, Scripps Research, $50,000“C–N Attached-Ring Synthesis by Markovnikov Hydroamination”
Electrocatalytic Fluorination Reactions Using Sustainable Fluorine Sources
Song Lin, Cornell University, $25,000“Electrocatalytic Fluorination Reactions Using Sustainable Fluorine Sources”
Catalytic Desulfurization of Peptides
Jennifer L. Stockdill, Wayne State University, $50,000“Catalytic Desulfurization of Peptides”
C-H/C-H Cross-Coupling of Aromatic Compounds with Flow-Through Nanowire Electrode
Benjamin Wiley & Jennifer Roizen, Duke University, $25,000“C-H/C-H Cross-Coupling of Aromatic Compounds with Flow-Through Nanowire Electrode”
A Microfluidic Platform for Discovery and Optimization of Photoredox Reactions
Corey Stephenson, University of Michigan, $50,000“A Microfluidic Platform for Discovery and Optimization of Photoredox Reactions”
A Green Strategy for the Synthesis of Head-to-Tail Macrocyclic Peptides
Jennifer L. Stockdill, Wayne State University, $50,000“A Green Strategy for the Synthesis of Head-to-Tail Macrocyclic Peptides”
Enhanced Site-Accessibility for Solid-Phase Coupling in Hierarchical Materials
Andrew Texeira, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, $25,000“Enhanced Site-Accessibility for Solid-Phase Coupling in Hierarchical Materials”
Using Flow Chemistry to Harness Ozone as a Sustainable Oxidant for C–H Functionalization
Stephen G. Newman, University of Ottawa, $25,000“Using Flow Chemistry to Harness Ozone as a Sustainable Oxidant for C–H Functionalization”
The Wittig Reaction Metamorphosis from Phosphorus to Boron
James Kiddle, Western Michigan University, $25,000“The Wittig Reaction Metamorphosis from Phosphorus to Boron”
Countercurrent Staged Diafiltration for Monoclonal Antibody Formulation
Andrew Zydney, Penn State, $50,000“Countercurrent Staged Diafiltration for Monoclonal Antibody Formulation.”
Diafiltration of Monoclonal Antibody using pH Responsive Membrane with Positive Charge
Leo Choe Peng, Universiti Sains Malaysia, $16,000“Diafiltration of Monoclonal Antibody using pH Responsive Membrane with Positive Charge.
Smart Synthesis with Magnetically Recoverable Visible Light Photocatalysts
Zach Amara, National Des Arvts Et Métiers, $25,000“Smart Synthesis with Magnetically Recoverable Visible Light Photocatalysts”
Development of an Iron-Based Catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura Cross Coupling Reactions
Jeff Byers, Boston College, $25,000“Development of an Iron-Based Catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura Cross Coupling Reactions”
Catalyst and Electrolyte-Free Direct Electrochemical Cross Coupling
Oana Luca, University of Colorado – Boulder, $25,000“Catalyst and Electrolyte-Free Direct Electrochemical Cross Coupling”
Borate-Based Catalytic Directing Groups for Alkene and C–H Functionalization Reactions Using Readily Available Alcohol Substrates
Dennis Hall, University of Alberta, $25,000“Borate-Based Catalytic Directing Groups for Alkene and C–H Functionalization Reactions Using Readily Available Alcohol Substrates”
Enz-Flow/Continuous Bioprocessing: Towards a green continuous flow synthesis of levomilnacipran
Amanda C. Evans, Ph.D., California State University, $50,000 “Enz-Flow/Continuous Bioprocessing: Towards a green continuous flow synthesis of levomilnacipran”
Tandem catalytic process in flow: synthesis of amides via mild photochemical carbonylation using CO2 as a carbonyl source
Graham Dobereiner, Ph.D., Temple University, $50,000 “Tandem catalytic process in flow: synthesis of amides via mild photochemical carbonylation using CO2 as a carbonyl source”
Process Development of Continuous Flow Oxidative Biotransformations
A. John Blacker, Ph.D., University of Leeds, $50,000 “Process Development of Continuous Flow Oxidative Biotransformations”
Hydrogenation of Amides promoted by Ru- and Fe-Pincer Complexes—Ligand-Metal Cooperative Catalysis for the Mild and Selective Synthesis of Amines
Matthias Beller, Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse, $50,000 “Hydrogenation of Amides promoted by Ru- and Fe-Pincer Complexes—Ligand-Metal Cooperative Catalysis for the Mild and Selective Synthesis of Amines”
Bimetallic Approach to Iron-Catalyzed Coupling Reactions
Neal Mankad, University of Illinois at Chicago, $100,000 “Bimetallic Approach to Iron-Catalyzed Coupling Reactions”
Modern Alchemy: New Paradigms for Enabling Base Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Paul Chirik, Princeton University, $100,000 “Modern Alchemy: New Paradigms for Enabling Base Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling in the Pharmaceutical Industry”
Intelligent Selection of Greener Solvents
Janet Scott, University of Bath, $100,000 “Intelligent Selection of Greener Solvents”
Development of Green Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions
Neil Garg, UCLA, $60,000 “Development of Green Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions”
Direct Synthesis of Alkylated Arenes and Heteroarenes from the Cross-Coupling of Heteroaromatic Halides in Non-Amide Solvents
Daniel Weix, University of Rochester, $50,000 “Direct Synthesis of Alkylated Arenes and Heteroarenes from the Cross-Coupling of Heteroaromatic Halides in Non-Amide Solvents”
Oxidation/Epoxidation Methods Without the Use of Chlorinated Solvents: Chemoselective Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation Catalyzed by Earth-Abundant Metals
Shannon Stahl, University of Wisconsin-Madison, $150,000 “Oxidation/Epoxidation Methods Without the Use of Chlorinated Solvents: Chemoselective Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation Catalyzed by Earth-Abundant Metals”
Greener Grignard Reactions
Wei Zhang, University of Massachusetts-Boston, $25,000 “Greener Grignard Reactions”
Green and Effective Continuous Catalytic Homo-Nazarov Cyclization Towards Multi-Step Synthesis of Heteroaromatic Ring-Fused Clyclohexanones
Charles Liotta, Georgia Tech University, $150,000 “Green and Effective Continuous Catalytic Homo-Nazarov Cyclization Towards Multi-Step Synthesis of Heteroaromatic Ring-Fused Clyclohexanones”
Amide Hydrogenation to Amines
David Cole-Hamilton, University of St. Andrews, $150,000 “Amide Hydrogenation to Amines”
Atom Economic Alcohol Activation and Amide Synthesis Using Base-Metal Catalysts Heterogenized on Titania Nanoparticles
Robert Crabtree, Yale University, $160,000 “Atom Economic Alcohol Activation and Amide Synthesis Using Base-Metal Catalysts Heterogenized on Titania Nanoparticles”
Byproduct-Free Synthesis of Chiral Amines via C-C Bond Forming Transfer Hydrogenation and Hydrogen Auto-Transfer
Michael Krische, University of Texas-Austin, $129,000 “Byproduct-Free Synthesis of Chiral Amines via C-C Bond Forming Transfer Hydrogenation and Hydrogen Auto-Transfer”
Chiral Amines via Asymmetric Multi-component Reactions
Chao-Jun Li, McGill University, $130,000 “Chiral Amines via Asymmetric Multi-component Reactions”
Hydrogenation of Amides by Multifunctional Catalysts via Ground State Destabilisation
Jianliang Xiao, University of Liverpool, $126,166 “Hydrogenation of Amides by Multifunctional Catalysts via Ground State Destabilisation”
Catalytic C-H Activation/Cross-Coupling of Aromatics (Avoiding the Preparation of Haloaromatics)
Robert Maleczka and Milton Smith, Michigan State University, $100,000 “Catalytic C-H Activation/Cross-Coupling of Aromatics (Avoiding the Preparation of Haloaromatics)”