Establishing the 35 Under 35 Award Endowment

Sometimes, all it takes is a spark — a conversation, a shared belief in a cause — to ignite immediate action. That’s exactly what happened when AIChE staff and volunteers began discussing how to secure future funding for one of the Institute’s most energizing programs: the 35 Under 35 Award.

Launched in 2018, the AIChE 35 Under 35 Award recognizes early career individuals who are making their mark on the chemical engineering profession and contributing meaningfully to AIChE. Offered every three years, the award honors 35 rising stars across a range of fields, including safety, energy, environment, bioengineering, education, innovation, and leadership. The next cycle is slated for 2026.

I am passionate about the AIChE 35 Under 35 Award Program as it recognizes the future leaders of the organization” - Jean Tom, AIChE Board Member and Professor of the Practice, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University

For its first three award cycles, the program was approved to receive funding from the Foundation’s Doing a World of Good (DAWG) Grants Program, which is funded mainly by micro-donations from hundreds of donors. But with growing visibility and prestige, it became clear that a sustainable funding model was needed to carry the program forward in perpetuity.

That realization led to an internal discussion with AIChE’s Programming team — and the discovery that Jean Tom, an AIChE Board member, shared a deep enthusiasm for the award. Her passion quickly turned into action. At the 2025 AIChE Spring Meeting, Jean stepped up as the inaugural funder of the AIChE 35 Under 35 Award endowment. She didn’t stop there - she immediately began rallying others to donate - fundraising before the giving page had even gone live.

“I am passionate about the AIChE 35 Under 35 Award Program as it recognizes the future leaders of the organization,” Jean shared. Her early support helped shape a streamlined vision for the award’s future — focusing on what honorees indicated are of most value: recognition, visibility, and the prestigious feature in CEP magazine.

During the Fellows Breakfast at the Spring Meeting, AIChE Board President Joseph Smith announced the endowment, thanking Jean for her leadership as the founding donor and highlighted the initiative as a significant step forward — a bridge from the Foundation’s Doing a World of Good Grants Committee to long-term program sustainability.

In just two weeks, what began as a conversation became a fully established campaign. The 35 Under 35 Award Endowment is officially underway, with a $50,000 fundraising goal and Jean Tom leading the charge. Her example is a testament to the power of aligning passion with purpose — and acting without hesitation.

Thanks to this momentum, the next generation of chemical engineering leaders will continue to be recognized, celebrated, and inspired for years to come.

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