The b54 Chemistry Prize celebrates outstanding research across the chemical sciences, including organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry. This prize recognizes work that advances our understanding of chemical processes, develops new materials or methods, or applies chemical knowledge to solve practical problems.
We welcome research that spans the breadth of chemistry — from the synthesis of novel compounds and the study of reaction mechanisms to the development of new analytical techniques and computational chemistry. Work at the intersection of chemistry and neighboring fields such as materials science, environmental science, or biochemistry is equally valued.
African researchers are addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges through chemistry, from water purification and sustainable energy to pharmaceutical development. This prize recognizes the rigor and ingenuity that drives that work forward.
This prize is for undergraduate and postgraduate students who have completed a thesis or research paper in any area of chemistry. Whether you are synthesizing new molecules, characterizing materials, developing analytical methods, or modeling chemical systems computationally, your work is welcome. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that their research makes a meaningful contribution to chemical knowledge or practice.
Judges look for strong experimental design, meticulous documentation, and careful interpretation of results. Submissions that demonstrate reproducibility, explain their choice of methods clearly, and place their findings in the context of existing literature stand out. Research with clear real-world applications — whether in health, agriculture, energy, or the environment — is particularly compelling, as is work that introduces novel synthetic routes or analytical approaches.
Submissions close December 1, 2026. Expert panels review all entries during December and January. Shortlisted candidates are notified by February 2027. Winners are announced in March 2027 at a ceremony.
Winners receive the prize amount ($1,500 undergraduate / $2,500 postgraduate), an official b54 certificate, a featured profile on the b54 website, and an invitation to present their work. Winners are also connected with mentors in their field.