SEM Education Foundation (SEMEF)

Chair
Martha Grady
(2024-2026)

Vice-Chair
Janice Barton
(2024-2026)

Secretary
Garrett Pataky
(2024-2026)

Treasurer
Jon Rogers
(2024-2026)


About the Foundation

A primary responsibility of the SEM Education Foundation is to provide financial support for a variety of educational activities important to the development of the field of experimental mechanics. Because the SEMEF’s resources are limited, it is imperative that funds be used as efficiently as possible.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to the SEM Education Foundation, please click the "Donate" button below. SEMEF welcomes and thanks you for your generous support in giving.

Donate

 


 

Regional graduate student symposia

Regional graduate student symposia are a growing area of focused funding by SEMEF. Regional symposia date back to the 1970s and were kicked-off by Chuck Taylor with one of the first being held in the southeast region. The goal is to promote symposia in five US regions including (NW, NE, SW, SE, MW). SEMEF is open to sponsoring regions across the globe. In 2018, SEMEF supported a symposia in the UK. Universities located near each other are encouraged to organize graduate conferences and to apply to SEMEF for sponsorship support of up to $1,500 per symposium. These symposia emphasize graduate students, but undergraduates are also invited to participate. Going forward, each symposia host is encouraged to submit a list of symposia presenters to SEM headquarters so we can send a follow-up email to the presenters inviting them to join SEM with one year of free student membership.
 
See the map below. The dots highlight the universities per region that have hosted a symposium to date.

Your ideas and energy are needed for SEM to continue to progress. Talk to the individual members at your symposium to learn more. As mechanicians, you are ambassadors to the rest of the community. Let your colleagues know about SEM. You will be surprised to know that many may already be members. Finally, remember that SEM is the “Friendly Society”. Take the time to socialize, especially with students like yourselves!
 

Student Symposia Proposal Guidelines

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by the number of students benefited, and clarity of presentation. Requests for SEMEF funds for activities other than Graduate Student Conferences need not follow this format.
 

All Proposals will include each item below:

  • Approximate dates of the activities
  • An outline of the proposed program
  • Statement about the impact of the activity on SEMEF’s goals
  • A budget, including the amount requested from SEMEF
  • Plans for a follow-up report
  • ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED AT LEAST 90 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT

SEMEF will NOT provide, or match funds for:

  • Charges for the use of university classrooms or meeting rooms
  • Funds for prizes at graduate symposia. (Where cooperation and friendship are the key words, and not competition. The SEMEF does provide funds for prizes at the Annual Student Paper Competition sponsored by the SEM Education Committee at the annual spring meeting.)
     


 
The SEMEF will endeavor to provide funds for up to a maximum of $1,500 per event
Funding may include Meals (breakfast, lunches, and dinners), coffee breaks, other (TBD).

 

Student Symposia Hosts

Download the PowerPoint slides to use during the introduction of your simposia.

Download PPTX


 

Send Proposals or request information

SEMEF, c/o Director, director@sem.org
7 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801, (203) 790-6373