Anna Louise Hoffman Award

Scholarship Sponsored by Iota Sigma Pi

History of the Award

History of the Award: The Anna Louise Hoffman Award was established by the National Council of Iota Sigma Pi in 1977 to honor Anna Louise Hoffman, who served as National Secretary (1948–1954) and as Regional Director for Region V until her death in 1974. The award recognizes outstanding graduate research in chemistry and commemorates Hoffman's long service to the organization. It reflects Iota Sigma Pi's commitment to supporting women and non-binary chemists at the graduate level.

• Established by Iota Sigma Pi in 1977.
• Named for Anna Louise Hoffman (National Secretary and Regional Director).
• Focuses on graduate research in chemistry.

Criteria

Description: The award recognizes outstanding chemical research by a full-time woman or non-binary graduate student who is a candidate for a graduate degree at an accredited institution. The research must be original and fall within one of the main chemical divisions (for example: analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, physical, or ancillary divisions). Membership in Iota Sigma Pi is optional for candidates. Nominations are evaluated on the quality and originality of the research presented.

• Open to full-time woman or non-binary graduate students in accredited programs.
• Research must be original and within a recognized chemical division.
• Membership in Iota Sigma Pi is not required.

Conditions

Conditions: Nominations must be submitted by faculty members of the candidate's current institution, and each department may submit only one nomination. The nominator is responsible for assembling the nomination dossier and coordinating submission of letters of recommendation. Candidates must meet the full-time status definition used by their institution at the time of nomination.

• Nominator must be a faculty member at the candidate's institution.
• Only one nomination per department is permitted.
• Nominator coordinates dossier and recommendation submissions.

Dossier

Application Materials: The complete nomination dossier must be submitted electronically as a single file (PDF recommended) to the Director of Student Awards at [email protected]. The dossier must include a completed cover sheet (with permanent and school addresses), an academic history with transcripts, and a candidate-prepared research description of no more than two pages plus a list of publications or presentations. Official transcripts should be arranged separately as described in the Official Transcripts section.

1. Completed cover sheet, including permanent and school addresses.
2. Academic history with transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
3. Candidate-prepared research description (≤2 pages) and list of publications/talks.

• Submit the full dossier as a single PDF file to [email protected].
• Include cover sheet, transcripts, and a research description prepared by the candidate.
• Publications and presentations should be listed separately within the dossier.

Letters of Recommendation

Recommendation Requirements: Two confidential letters of recommendation are required and should be arranged by the candidate but collected and submitted by the nominator. One letter should come from someone familiar with the candidate's direct research (for example, a research adviser) and the other from an additional evaluator familiar with the candidate's research capabilities. Letters must be submitted electronically by the application deadline and kept confidential.

• Two confidential letters required: one from a research mentor and one additional evaluator.
• Nominator is responsible for collecting and submitting the letters.
• Letters must be submitted electronically by the deadline.

Official Transcripts

Transcripts: Official transcripts must be mailed or emailed separately to [email protected] and must arrive by the February deadline; unofficial transcripts may be submitted by a faculty member with the nomination dossier. Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended by the candidate. Ensure that transcript delivery meets the deadline listed in the Application Timeline to avoid disqualification.

• Official transcripts should be sent directly to [email protected].
• Unofficial transcripts may be included by a faculty member with the dossier.
• Transcripts must cover all post-secondary institutions attended.

Due Date

Application Timeline: The complete nomination dossier must be received by the nominator in February each year; specific receipt deadlines fall in February and the award recipient is announced by April 15. The nominator submits the single-file dossier electronically (PDF recommended) and ensures all supporting materials meet the February deadline. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered.

• Nomination receipt deadline: February (annually).
• Award announcement by April 15 each year.
• Complete dossier submitted as a single PDF by the nominator.

Award

Award Value: The Anna Louise Hoffman Award includes a $1,000 monetary prize, a certificate, and a one-year waiver of Iota Sigma Pi membership dues. The award recognizes excellence in graduate research and provides financial support and formal recognition for the recipient's contributions. Details on disbursement and certificate presentation are handled by Iota Sigma Pi.

• $1,000 cash award.
• Certificate of recognition.
• One-year waiver of Iota Sigma Pi membership dues.

Presentation

Presentation: The award is presented at a local meeting of Iota Sigma Pi, at an American Chemical Society meeting, or at a time arranged with the awardee's department chair. Presentation timing and venue are coordinated with the recipient and the sponsoring organizations. The presentation offers an opportunity for the recipient to be publicly recognized for their research achievements.

• Presented at an Iota Sigma Pi or ACS meeting, or arranged with the department.
• Timing coordinated with the awardee and relevant organizations.
• Public recognition of the recipient's research accomplishments.