To be eligible to participate in ACCESS, an applicant must have received a doctorate from an accredited university after September 1, 2018, or the applicant’s main thesis advisor must certify that in all probability the applicant will have received a doctorate by August 31, 2021. The applicant's thesis or postdoctoral research must be in the field of atmospheric chemistry. To further the goals and intent of ACCESS, primary consideration will be given to those applicants who will be in a postdoctoral position (or equivalent career stage) over those who have, or will have by the time of the ACCESS colloquium, secured a faculty position or a position as a permanent research scientist.
Attendance at ACCESS is limited to 25 participants, who are selected by a committee based on the significance and achievement of the applicant’s thesis or postdoctoral research, the application, and a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s primary thesis advisor or postdoctoral advisor. Participation in ACCESS is highly competitive, as there are typically nearly 100 candidates, coming from the most prestigious institutions in the US and abroad. There are no nationality requirements regarding participation.