Pittsburgh, PA, August 30, 2012 - The Pittsburgh Conference and its sponsoring societies, the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP), are now accepting proposals for the 2013 Pittsburgh Conference Memorial National College Grants (PCMNCG) Award Program. Qualifying organizations are invited to consider applying for one of this year's awards. The deadline for receipt of completed applications and proposals is October 1, 2012. Click here to get information about the award, the application form, a description of the eligibility criteria, and a list of previous award recipients.

Awards will be announced during the month of January 2013. Schools chosen will join the list of the more than 300 institutions honored since the inception of this program in 1974. In 1974, two grants of $1,000 each were given. This year, the maximum funding available for each grant is $10,000, and there will be at least 10 of these awards. Each proposal will be reviewed by an evaluation committee comprised of members of the SSP and the SACP. Last year, there were 59 proposals from small colleges and universities who met the requirements.

The Pittsburgh Conference Memorial National College Grants Program, originally established in memory of R. K. Scott, 1955 president of the Pittsburgh Conference, serves as a memorial to deceased members of the Pittsburgh Conference Committee by promoting excellence in science education. Through the program, small colleges can enhance their science curricula through grants to purchase equipment and course materials.