Call for Proposals to Host the 2030 U.S. National Congress on Theoretical & Applied Mechanics

The following was shared by the U.S. National Committee on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.

The U.S. National Committee on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (USNC/TAM) is soliciting proposals from institutions wishing to host the 2030 U.S. National Congress on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Every four years since 1950, the U.S. has hosted a National Congress on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in order to foster and promote the exchange of ideas and information among the various disciplines within the mechanics community, and to chart future priorities in mechanics-related research, applications and education. The Congresses cover a broad range of topic areas in mechanics and are well attended by mechanicians from both industry and academia.

Universities with a tradition of strength in mechanics have hosted the previous Congresses, most recently at:

2022, University of Texas at Austin
2018, Northwestern University
2014, Michigan State University
2010, Penn State University

The 2026 U.S. National Congress will be in Los Angeles, CA from June 21-24, 2026. It is being collaboratively hosted by Caltech, UCLA, and USC.

Congress hosts have considerable latitude to design the structure and content of the Congress. Innovative activities and arrangements have occurred at recent past Congresses. Innovative activities and arrangements have occurred at recent past Congresses, including collaboration with partner international mechanics committees. Interested parties are encouraged to work with the USNC/TAM in proposal development.

In choosing the 2030 host, the following factors will be considered and ought to be addressed in the proposal:

• Distinguished institution with strength in mechanics
• Institutional & departmental support
• Faculty involvement
• Previous experience hosting similar size conferences (if any)
• Unique and/or special initiatives to be part of the Congress
• Physical Facilities
  • Lecture hall(s) for large plenary sessions (~1000 seats)
  • Rooms for parallel technical sessions
  • Spaces for banquet and/or social events
• Housing options
  • On campus or nearby hotels and motels
• Transportation
  • Airline service (give current rates from typical U.S. cities)
  • Rail or bus service
  • Highway accessibility
• Climate and other factors that may influence the number of participants.
  • Budget
  • Estimated registration fee(s)
  • Expected revenue source(s)
  • Expected costs

If your institution is interested in hosting the Congress, please contact Tom Pence, Secretary of the USNC/TAM and chair of the site selection subcommittee, for information on developing your proposal (pence@egr.msu.edu). The USNC/TAM is eager to work with interested parties during proposal development. Proposals should then be submitted electronically to: Tom Pence (pence@egr.msu.edu) and Horacio Espinosa, Chair of the USNC/TAM (espinosa@northwestern.edu).

Timeline

Final proposal submission:
• March 20, 2025 (submitted electronically)

Finalist presentations:
• First weekend in May 2025 at USNC/TAM meeting in Washington DC (zoom option)

Decision Announcement:
• June 2025