About the Union

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is a scientific, international, and non-governmental organization that serves to advance the worldwide aspects of the chemical sciences and to contribute to the application of chemistry in the service of Mankind. As an objective body, IUPAC can address many global issues involving the chemical sciences.  IUPAC is a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU).  

Learn more about the organization of IUPAC, its Divisions, Committees, and Representatives on Other Organizations.

About the USNC

The U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (USNC/IUPAC) represents the interests of the U.S. chemical sciences community in IUPAC.  The committee serves to build global interaction among research communities and promote advances in chemical sciences and technology at the international level through participation in biennial IUPAC Congresses and General Assemblies and support of IUPAC-sponsored activities, such as the IUPAC Young Observers Program. 

Activities & Events

 Collaborations at the ACS Fall National Meeting, Washington, DC
The 238th ACS National Meeting & Exposition provided an opportunity to expand the relationship between ACS and IUPAC and to build a framework for future activities.  BISO and the USNC/IUPAC, in partnership with the ACS Office of International Activities (OIA) and International Activities Committee (IAC), organized a series of events on August 15-16, 2009:

• Representatives of IUPAC’s sub-disciplinary divisions and committees, their counterparts in equivalent ACS technical divisions, and ACS journal editors participated in the inaugural IUPAC-ACS Collaboration Summit summit to highlight work being conducted by these groups, promote ties between scientists within the U.S. and international chemistry communities, and encourage the exploration of future collaborative projects. 
• The National Academies' BISO, BCST, and USNC/IUPAC, the American Chemical Society's OIA and IAC, and IUPAC hosted the networking event Addressing Global Challenges through Chemistry. The attendees included ACS, IUPAC and National Academies’ members, journal editors, science and technology attachés from local embassies, and representatives from U.S. and international agencies.
• The Embassies of Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, and India hosted discussion dinnners on solar energy, the role of analytical chemistry in food and agricultural science, the development of new green materials and process chemistries, and Indo-US S&T partnership development, respectively. The dinners provided excellent opportunities to further explore collaboration and develop networks of colleagues.
• The ACS IAC and USNC/IUPAC continued their tradition of holding a Sunday reception to welcome international meeting attendees and to honor the students participating in the summer International Research Experience for Undergraduates program. 

 Participation in IUPAC General Assemblies and Congresses
The International union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) held its 45th General Assembly (GA) (July 31-August 6, 2009) and 42nd Congress (August 2-7, 2009) in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.  The USNC/IUPAC supported the U.S. Delegation to the Congress and GA.  Members of the U.S. Delegation also served as mentors to the 2009 IUPAC Young Observers.  The 46th IUPAC General Assembly and 43rd Congress will be held July 30-August 7, 2011 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

 IUPAC Young Observers Program

USNC/IUPAC member Angela Wilson addresses Young Observer Orientation session in Glasgow, UK

Established by the USNC/IUPAC in 1977 to foster interactions with internationally acclaimed scientists in various fields, the IUPAC Young Observer Program strives to introduce the work of IUPAC to a new generation of distinguished researchers and to provide an opportunity to address international scientific policy issues.  The USNC holds a biennial competition to invite early career scientists to serve as United States Observers at the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress and General Assembly.  Selected Young Observers may receive a fellowship grant for transportation expenses. 
Eligibility: Open to U.S. scientists and engineers (U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents) under age 45  with interests and expertise related to the working groups of IUPAC.  Learn more about the IUPAC Young Observers Program.

  IUPAC Poster Prizes
The IUPAC Poster Prize Program recognizes outstanding undergraduate poster presentations at IUPAC Congresses and division-sponsored conferences. Awardees receive a certificate signed by the IUPAC President, a copy of the Compendium of Chemical Terminology, and a two-year subscription to Chemistry International.  Learn more about the IUPAC Poster Prize Program.

 IUPAC Company Associates
The IUPAC Company Associates program enables industries participate in IUPAC's policy and direction. Through the USNC/IUPAC and IUPAC's Committee on Chemistry and Industry (COCI), industrial interests and concerns are addressed at the national and international level.  Approximately 140 companies from 26 countries have participated in the program.  Learn more about how your organization can become a Company Associate. 

Current Membership

RESOURCE LINKS

Societies American Crystallographic Association (ACA) American Chemical Society (ACS) El Colegio de Químicos de Puerto Rico (CQPR)

International Organizations International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) International Council for Science (ICSU) International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) International Union of Crystallography (IUCr)

Chemistry International Chemistry International is the newsmagazine of IUPAC.  View the current issue.

Sponsor

The USNC/IUPAC is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. MPS-0650065.

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