Call For Papers: Undergraduate Research as the Stimulus for Scientific Progress in the USA

Undergraduate research is critical for engaging students in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for future STEM careers. The American Chemical Society acknowledges the contributions of Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) in the United States of America to scientific progress while supporting their mission to make STEM accessible and impactful across diverse communities. By showcasing these research endeavors through the ACS-sponsored Open Access read and publish agreement for PUIs, ACS Omega aims to encourage support for PUI research, enhance institutional reputations, foster innovation, and promote community impact.

This Special Issue in focuses on findings in chemistry and interfacing areas of science led and/or supported by undergraduate researchers and their mentors. Research Articles are highly encouraged, and Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Viewpoints and educational Perspectives highlighting current progress and strategic advancements in undergraduate research and education are also welcomed. If you wish to submit a Review, Mini-Review, Viewpoint, or Perspective, please submit a pre-submission inquiry to managing.editor@omega.acs.org.

The scope of this special issue is intentionally broad, covering ACS Omega’s journal scope. Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Chemical Science Education and Pedagogy
• Agriculture and food chemistry
• Analytical chemistry
• Applied chemistry
• Astrochemistry
• Chemical biology, biological chemistry and medicinal chemistry
• Catalysis
• Chemical engineering and industrial chemistry
• Energy
• Environmental and sustainable chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry
• Materials science
• Measurement science
• Nanoscience
• Organic chemistry
• Physical chemistry
• Polymer science
• Theoretical and computational chemistry

Organizing Editors

Dr. Andre K. Isaacs, Guest Editor
College of the Holy Cross, United States

Dr. Isaiah Speight, Guest Editor
College of William and Mary, United States

Dr. Matthew Wu, Guest Editor
The Ohio State University, United States

Submission Information

We welcome submissions for this Special Issue through July 31, 2025. For more information on submission requirements, please visit the journal's Author Guidelines page.

Accepted manuscripts for consideration in this Special Issue will include research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Viewpoints, and educational Perspectives involving undergraduate researchers and their mentors based in Primarily Undergraduate Institutions in the USA. Papers accepted for publication for this Special Issue will be available online ASAP (as soon as publishable). After all submissions have been published, they will then be compiled on a dedicated landing page to form the Special Issue. Manuscripts submitted for consideration will undergo the full rigorous peer review process expected from ACS journals.

Open Access

ACS is sponsoring open access publication for authors at participating USA-based Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs). Corresponding authors at these institutions can publish their research in any ACS journal completely free of charge under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 open access license. Authors that are collaborating with researchers from another institution or organization should confirm that they will act as the submitting corresponding author to qualify for this program.

Further information on this ACS-sponsored read and publish agreement for participating PUIs can be found here. Submissions from non-participating USA-based PUIs to this Special Issue are also welcomed.

There are other diverse open access options for publications in American Chemical Society journals. Please visit our Open Science Resource Center for more information.

How to Submit

• Log in to the ACS Publishing Center.
• Select the “Journals” tab.
• Choose ACS Omega.
• Click "Submit."
• Select your manuscript type, and, under "Special Issue Selection," choose "Undergraduate Research as the Stimulus for Scientific Progress in the USA."

If you have any general questions regarding submission to this Special Issue, please contact Davita L. Watkins (watkins-office@omega.acs.org).