Call for Nominations: Materials Today Agents of Change Awards

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Materials Today Agents of Change Awards provide funding for initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the global materials science research community. Each year, two grants of up to $10,000 USD are awarded to programs that address barriers to participation and create a more inclusive research environment. What Are the Materials Today Agents of Change Awards? The Agents of Change Awards recognize initiatives and programs working to make the materials science community more equitable and inclusive. The awards are jointly funded by the Materials Today family of journals and the Elsevier Foundation. The program supports practical initiatives that broaden participation, encourage diverse perspectives, and help create a more equitable environment for materials scientists. Projects can focus on specific groups or systemic issues affecting participation and inclusion in materials science research. How Much Funding Is Available?

Each year, the program awards:

- Two grants. - Up to $10,000 USD per grant. - Funding for initiatives or programs that demonstrate a clear contribution to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Applicants should provide a clear explanation of how the requested funding will be used and how it will contribute to the project’s intended outcomes. What Types of Initiatives Are Supported? The Agents of Change Awards support initiatives that demonstrate meaningful impact in improving inclusivity and equity within materials science.

Potential areas include:

- Supporting underrepresented groups in materials science. - Improving racial and ethnic diversity in academia. - Promoting gender equality in science. - Supporting LGBTQIA+ equality. - Integrating Indigenous knowledge into research and education. - Expanding opportunities for students and researchers from underserved regions. - Addressing systemic barriers within research environments. - Reducing mental health stigma in science. - Creating outreach and engagement programs for underrepresented communities. - Broadening participation in materials science education and research. Projects do not need to address every area. Applicants should clearly identify the specific inclusion challenge their initiative is designed to address. Examples of Previously Supported Initiatives Past recipients demonstrate the broad range of projects that can be supported through the awards.

Examples include:

- Outreach programs for Indigenous youth. - Initiatives designed to increase racial and ethnic diversity in academia. - Summer schools supporting students from Latin America. - Projects addressing mental health stigma. - Initiatives promoting gender equality in science. These examples show that the program can support education, outreach, research-community development, and other initiatives when they have a strong equity and inclusion focus. Who Is Eligible to Be Nominated?

Eligible nominees must:

- Be at least the age of majority in their country or region. - Meet the program’s applicable eligibility requirements. - Not be a government official. - Not be a resident of a restricted jurisdiction specified by the program. The stated restrictions include residents of: Both self-nominations and third-party nominations are accepted. Can Someone Nominate Their Own Initiative? Yes. The program accepts both self-nominations and nominations submitted by another person or organization. This means initiative leaders can put forward their own projects if they meet the eligibility requirements, while colleagues, organizations, or other supporters can also nominate initiatives they believe deserve recognition. What Does the Selection Committee Look For? The evaluation process considers several aspects of the proposed initiative. Clear Objectives Applicants should explain what the initiative is designed to achieve and identify the specific equity or inclusion issue it addresses. Demonstrated Need The proposal should establish why the initiative is necessary. Applicants should clearly describe the barrier, gap, or challenge affecting the target community or materials science research environment. Target Audience Applications should identify who will benefit from the initiative.

This could include:

- Students. - Early-career researchers. - Underrepresented groups. - Indigenous communities. - Researchers from specific geographic regions. - LGBTQIA+ researchers. - Other groups facing barriers within materials science. Use of Funds Applicants should provide a clear explanation of how the grant will be spent. The proposed budget should demonstrate that the funds will directly contribute to the initiative’s objectives. Sustainability Applicants should explain how the initiative can continue creating benefits beyond the grant period. A sustainability plan can demonstrate how the project will maintain activities, partnerships, participation, or impact over the longer term. Potential Impact The application should clearly explain the expected results and how the initiative can contribute to a more inclusive materials science community. How to Prepare a Strong Nomination

Step 1: Define the Inclusion Challenge

Clearly identify the equity, diversity, or inclusion problem the initiative is addressing. Avoid broad statements that do not explain the specific issue. Instead, demonstrate the real barrier affecting the intended community.

Step 2: Identify the Target Community

Explain who the initiative is intended to support. Describe the community’s needs and why the proposed approach is appropriate for them.

Step 3: Present Clear Objectives

Set specific objectives that demonstrate what the initiative will accomplish.

Objectives might involve

- Increasing participation. - Improving access to education. - Developing leadership opportunities. - Reducing barriers. - Increasing representation. - Promoting inclusive research practices. - Creating stronger pathways into materials science.

Step 4: Explain the Proposed Activities

Describe wha