Standing Together Through Change: AIChE's Commitment to Our Community | AIChE

Standing Together Through Change: AIChE's Commitment to Our Community

Dear AIChE Community,

In these times of significant change and uncertainty, I want to reaffirm AIChE's unwavering commitment to supporting every member of our chemical engineering family.

Our Collective Strength

As the Global Home for Chemical Engineers, our greatest strength lies in you—our 60,000+ members worldwide. Your collective knowledge, innovative thinking, and diverse perspectives enable us all to adapt and thrive through any challenge we face.

By embracing our IDEAL Principles (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Learning), we continue building an environment where chemical engineers from all backgrounds can connect, collaborate, and advance their careers with confidence.

Growing Together

The power of our community is evident in our increasing engagement—registration for our upcoming Spring Meeting (April 6–10 in Dallas, TX) is trending significantly higher than previous years. This growth demonstrates how our approach to meaningful networking and knowledge sharing resonates with professionals like you.

Stay Connected

To ensure you remain informed about valuable initiatives, resources, and opportunities tailored to your interests, please take a moment to update your AIChE member profile and contact preferences. Your engagement directly shapes how we build a more inclusive and equitable professional community.

Beyond Words to Action

Our IDEAL principles aren't just aspirational statements—they form the foundation of every program we develop, every event we host, and every decision we make. These principles guide us in creating meaningful opportunities for chemical engineers at every career stage and from all backgrounds.

Leading Through Transition

While change brings uncertainty, it also creates unprecedented opportunities for innovation. AIChE is uniquely positioned to help our members not just navigate but lead through this rapidly evolving landscape. Together, we'll transform challenges into catalysts for positive change within our profession.

Thank you for being the heart of this extraordinary community.

Warmly,

Victor Bohnert, AIChE’s Interim CEO

General Questions

Will recent policy changes affect AIChE’s programs or initiatives?

AIChE remains deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all members. While various programs are facing increased scrutiny, our dedication to serving all members and advancing the field of chemical engineering remains unwavering. We believe that inclusivity strengthens both our community and the industry as a whole.

How might policy changes affect AIChE's IDEAL Communities?

AIChE's commitment to our IDEAL principles and our mission to cultivate an inclusive culture remains steadfast. AIChE will continue to provide opportunities for engagement through our communities for all members. Visit the IDEAL Communities for guidance on participation options.

How can I stay informed about AIChE’s response to policy changes affecting inclusion and participation?

To stay updated on AIChE’s ongoing initiatives and latest news, we encourage members to subscribe to AIChE’s newsletters, follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram, and participate in AIChE’s Communities. We also recommend updating your AIChE profile with your current contact information to stay connected. 

All updates will shared on this page, so be sure to check back regularly.

How can I get involved with AIChE's IDEAL initiatives?

AIChE offers multiple ways for members to engage with IDEAL initiatives and contribute to a more inclusive chemical engineering community.

You can join IDEAL Communities, such as the Minority Affairs Committee (MAC), Women in Chemical Engineering (WIC), Disabilities OutReach & Inclusion Community (DORIC), and LGBTQ+ & Allies. These groups provide networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

Participating in IDEAL-focused events at AIChE conferences, including workshops, panels, and networking sessions, is another great way to stay engaged. AIChE Academy also offers educational webinars, courses and training that focus on fostering inclusion and access within the profession.

For more information or to get involved, visit AIChE IDEAL.

What resources are available to learn more about IDEAL?

AIChE offers a variety of resources to help members stay informed and engaged with IDEAL Principles. AIChE IDEAL serves as a central hub for information on communities and programs to get involved.

Conferences

What if I can no longer attend the conference I registered for due to changes in funding?

If funding changes prevent you from attending an AIChE conference, you may request a cancellation by calling 800.242.4363 or emailing customerservice@aiche.org no later than two weeks prior to the meeting start date (by 11:59pm ET). Cancellations made within this timeframe will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee.

Cancellations received after the two-week deadline are not eligible for a full refund, but AIChE will accept a substitute attendee for a $50 processing fee.

If you are a presenting author and need to withdraw your paper or change the presenter, please contact programming@aiche.org as soon as possible.

Is AIChE able to provide financial assistance if my grant funding is no longer available?

AIChE has limited grants for specific conferences thanks to the AIChE Foundation, Schmidt Sciences and federal government agencies like the NSF and DOE. These grants can help to cover registration and travel expenses. More information and the application form can be found at AIChE Conference Travel Grant Application.

Additionally AIChE’s technical communities sometimes provide financial assistance through awards and scholarships that may help offset costs. A complete list of upcoming deadlines for awards can be found here.

Can AIChE advocate for attendees who lose access to grant funding due to policy changes?

We recognize the significant impact federal funding is having on researchers and institutions across the country. While AIChE does not control federal funding decisions and cannot contact university or government officials on your behalf, we encourage impacted attendees to reach out to their university’s grant office or other funding agency advocating for research and education funding.