Program Planning Grants for Local Sections

Program Planning Grants are intended to assist local sections with their membership outreach efforts.  The objective is to encourage development of a program involving more than a single event.  Local sections are encouraged to "think outside the box" and be innovative in their program planning. 

Applications should describe activities/events that are being planned by the local section under an umbrella of a larger "program", with identifiable goals and objectives.  It is not necessary that all events/activities have a common theme beyond that of encouraging local section members to participate and interface with each other. 

NOTE: For events/activities focused on reaching out to students, recent chemical engineer graduates and new engineers, please consider applying for a John J. McKetta ProjectConnect Grant. 

Congratulations to the 2012 Spring Grant Winners!

Puget Sound Section
Texas Gulf Coast Section

In this program, 4 annual grants of $600-$800 each are awarded to sections submitting qualified applications.  Program Planning Grants will be awarded twice a year:

• Applications submitted by March 31st - Grants awarded by April 30th
• Applications submitted by Sept. 30th - Grants awarded by Oct. 31st

The Local Section Committee will review the applications and distribute the grants within 30 days of the application deadline.  AIChE's Membership Department will administer the program.

Apply online, or download and print an application form.

To apply for a grant, complete the application form and fax it to AIChE's Membership Department at (646) 495-1503.

Additional Information:

• Local Sections are eligible for only 1 Program Planning Grant in any 12-month period.
• Sections awarded a Program Planning Grant will receive a check along with a summary report form that is to be completed and returned to AIChE's Membership Department
• Sections awarded a Program Planning Grant must submit this summary report form describing the results of their winning program in order to be considered for future grants. Download one at:  PP Grant Summary Report 

Examples of programs that would be eligible for a Program Planning Grant:

• Chemical Engineering PE review course - (10 sessions )
• Pharmaceutical Engineering Workshop - (1-1/2 day session )
• Fall Lecture Series - (4 meeting series with a common theme )
• Financial Planning for Chemical Engineers - (multi-session series )

General application evaluation criteria that the Local Sections Committee will use to evaluate grant applications:

• Evaluate the 'innovativeness' of the proposed program
  • What makes it innovative for the local section?
  • How does the program fit the needs of the local section?
  • How is the proposed program different from past programs?
• Evaluate how the proposed program will increase membership participation
  • Will the program be targeted at a particular audience?
  • What will draw prospective members to attend this program?
  • How will this program be promoted and advertised?
  • To whom will this program be promoted and advertised?
• Evaluate the section's ability to fund such a program on its own
  • Does it have a history of successful program years without having received a grant?
  • Is the applying section considered a "section in need"?
• Has the applying section ever been awarded a Program Planning Grant?
  • Has the applying section been awarded a Program Planning Grant in the past 12 months?