The 2026 Breakthrough in Polymers (BIP) forum will be convening next summer at the Chicago, IL, ACS Fall Meeting. The forum will take place on August 24th or 25th, 2026, and will include meals and refreshments.
The Breakthrough in Polymers (BIP) Forum aims to advance professional development of early career polymer scientists and engineers and to enhance interactions between emerging leaders from government labs, industry, and non-academic organizations by bringing them together to discuss current challenges and opportunities in polymer science, materials, and engineering. Industrial, academic, and government leaders will share valuable experiences and ideas with selected invited participants fostering breakthrough and diverse thinking regarding two leading-edge polymer research topics. Participants need not have expertise in the topics to be discussed.
Invited Participants Selection
Participants will be selected via a nomination process. Invitations to selected participants will be based on recommendations by a peer committee composed of PMSE, RUBB, and BMGT volunteers. All participants need to be members of ACS and the PMSE, RUBB, or BMGT Division at the time of the nomination and at the time of the meeting. Selected participants will receive a formal invitation to be part of the inaugural BIP class of 2026.
This year’s early career polymer scientists and engineers from government labs, industry, and non-academic organizations will be meeting to discuss current challenges and opportunities in two topics: Polymer Innovation via Digitalization, and Critical Polymeric Materials and Sustainability. To learn more please go to PMSE Chair Announces an Exciting New Forum for Industry, Government, and Non-academic organizations – Updated 3/25 – PMSE.
To this end, we are proud to introduce the 2025 Inaugural Class of the PMSE Breakthroughs in Polymers (BIP) Forum.
Expense Reimbursement
PMSE, RUBB, and BMGT will provide reimbursement for registration fees, hotel stay, and transportation for participants up to $850 per participant, if requested.
Academic, industry, and/or government experts will be introducing the polymer topic and highlighting important aspects related to it. The aim is to foster interactions and nurture polymer leadership between participants.
Nomination Process, Criteria, and Important Dates
The nomination period begins on January 1, 2026, and extends through February 15, 2026. All nominees must be members of ACS and the PMSE, RUBB, or BMGT Division. Peer and self-nominations are accepted. Participants will be selected based on their contributions to the polymer science, materials, and engineering fields during their research. A demonstrated history of active participation in scientific communities within their organizations or externally will be taken into consideration. Their initiative and leadership of projects that contribute to advancement in polymer science and engineering will be key. Efforts in mentoring, coaching, and inspiring the next generation of researchers in polymer science, materials, and engineering will be positively considered. We aim to have a diverse group of participants with breadth in various areas of polymer research.
The selection committee will be composed of PMSE, RUBB, and BMGT volunteers. The selection committee will start communicating invitations to invited members of the class of 2026 by February 28, 2026, and will complete sending invitations by April 15, 2026.
Invited participants will need to confirm their participation by the date indicated in the invitation letter and submit an abstract for a poster to be presented at the ACS Fall Meeting per the instructions in the invitation letter. Poster topics can pertain to the participants’ current research, their work field, or their student research topic.
For the nomination form and background information, refer to the announcements and documents below:
- Nomination Form (Word Document) – 2026
- Introduction Announcement Letter (PDF) – 2025
- Forum Brochure (PDF) – 2025
The Forum Agenda
The class of 2026 will interact with well-known experts in the polymer field and will have ample opportunity to ask questions to further their understanding and provide their input in very important topics in polymers. During group sessions, members of the class of 2026 will be able to network in small groups and further discuss cutting-edge developments in the topic, thereby providing additional exposure to new approaches and techniques and potentially facilitating collaborative work.
The 2026 BIP class will be exposed to two topics of great importance to the future of polymer materials, processes and applications:
– Topic 1 (TBD)
– Topic 2 (TBD)
The class of 2026 will have an opportunity to learn more about the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the PMSE, RUBB, and BMGT Divisions, focusing on understanding and maximizing member benefits and member contributions.
During this inaugural forum, members of the class of 2026, will present at the PMSE poster session dedicated to early career people and hence interact with ACS Fall attendees working in polymer fields. Graduate students will be able to join the class of 2026 during a breakout session encouraging interactions and inspiring students to further their careers.
The Forum will take place on Monday or Tuesday August 24th or 25th, 2026, and a preliminary agenda follows (subject to change):
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
AM Session
- Introductions – Members of Class of 2026
- Topic: TBD
- Invited Keynote Speakers:
TBD - Breakout Session and Reporting
Networking Lunch and Poster Session
PM Session (Open to students by invitation only)
- Topic: TBD
- Invited Keynote Speakers:
TBD - Breakout Session and Reporting
- Closing Remarks and Networking
Please nominate a peer or consider self-nominating. We have tried to make the nomination process as simple as possible, but do not hesitate to reach out if you need more information or any clarification. The PMSE chair (acspmsechair@gmail.com) will be delighted to help and can provide further instructions.
Thank you for considering this opportunity.