PMSE , RUBB OR BMGT GRADUATE STUDENTS/POSTDOCS, ARE YOU ATTENDING THE ACS FALL MEETING
IN CHICAGO?
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE 2026 BREAKTHROUGHS IN POLYMERS (BIP) FORUM CLASS OF 2026
— APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 10, 2026
If you are attending the 2026 ACS Fall meeting, there is an opportunity for up to 25 Graduate
Students/Postdocs (PMSE/RUBB/BMGT members) to join the early-career Class of 2026 participants and
take part in the 2026 Breakthrough in Polymers (BIP) Forum.
We are excited to give you this opportunity to participate in this BIP Forum, held on August 24,
2026, in Chicago as part of ACS Fall 2026. The Forum aims to advance the professional development
of ~25 early-career polymer scientists and engineers via interactions between leaders from
government labs, industry, and non-academic organizations bringing them together to discuss
challenges and opportunities in polymer science and engineering. We aim to offer 25 graduate
students/postdocs the opportunity to attend the keynote lectures and join in with early
professionals, Forum Leads and Keynote Speakers as part of break-out tables. Invited graduate
students/postdocs will receive a certificate of selection and participation from PMSE.
The morning topic is dedicated to “Innovations in Adaptive Soft Materials and Stimuli-responsive
Polymeric Systems” with Prof. Stuart Rowan, University of Chicago and Dr. Ben Bending, 3M, as
keynote speakers. The afternoon topic is dedicated to “Creating the Future and Reimagining Polymers
for Electronics & Energy” with Dr. Eric Lin, NIST, and Dr. James Hedrick, IBM as Keynote Speakers.
You can choose to participate all day (~8:30-6 PM-box lunch included), in the morning session only
~(8:30 AM-11:30 AM-box lunch included) or in the afternoon session only (~2:00 PM-6 PM).
Do not miss this opportunity! Due to limited spots, we encourage you to apply by July 10th, 2026.
Submit your application via this form. In your submission, you will need to answer the following
questions with no more than 200 words each and attach your resume. Do not forget to indicate if you prefer Full Day,
Morning Session, or Afternoon Session.
Q1: Identify one polymer science or technology challenge you would like to discuss with industry or
government scientists and explain why cross-sector perspectives are important to address it.
Q2: What perspective, experience, expertise or way of thinking would you bring to enrich
discussions with senior professionals at this forum?
Q3: How do you expect participation in this forum to influence your career trajectory and future
contributions to the polymer field?
The selected participants will be notified by July 24, 2026, and must confirm their attendance by
the time indicated in the invitation letter or the spot will be given to other applicants.
Please note that student participation in the BIP Forum does not include ACS Fall registration,
travel, or lodging support. Applicants must be registered for ACS Fall 2026 to attend.
For any inquiries, please contact us at PMSEBIP@gmail.com. We look forward to your participation
and an engaging and productive Forum!
Warm regards, 2026 BIP Forum Organizing Committee