Become an ICDD Member
The International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) is a not-for-profit scientific organization that collects, edits, publishes, and distributes powder diffraction data for the identification of materials in the form of the Powder Diffraction File™. The ICDD exists to serve the needs of the materials analysis community. Approximately 300 scientists from around the world comprise the active membership, from which the organization draws its Board of Directors, committees, and subcommittees. The essential functions of the members are to elect the Board and to offer advice. It is important that the Board of Directors receive the broadest and deepest advice possible, and that the organization is committed to building an inclusive environment that values and develops diversity.
New Member Applications for the Spring 2025 Cycle are now being accepted.
The deadline to apply for this cycle is 15 February 2025.
Applications received after 15 February 2025 will default to the Fall 2025 cycle.
In accordance with the organization’s Bylaws, membership consists of three classes – Active, Associate, and Affiliate:
Active Members:
Active Membership shall be open to applicants professionally involved with materials characterization. Applicants shall be elected by the Board upon nomination for Active Membership by the Membership Committee, subject to the Board’s review and approval of the applicants’ qualifications. For additional information on Active Membership, please click here: What does it mean to be an Active Member?
Associate Members:
Active Members who have not voted in two consecutive Board of Director elections are then reclassified as Associate Members.
Affiliate Members:
Undergraduate and graduate students, post-graduates, and early career researchers studying materials characterization methods may apply as an Affiliate Member. The term of membership is two years, after which the Affiliate may request a renewal or apply for Active Membership. Affiliate Members are not eligible to vote. For additional information on Affiliate Membership, please click here: Affiliate Membership Goals & Benefits.
Applicants may apply for a specific classification, but the Membership Committee determines the appropriate membership level.
To Apply for Active Membership, you will need:
- A short curriculum vitae that includes a photo and publication list for the last five years (in PDF form).
- Letter of recommendation by a current active member or ICDD Technical Co-chair (in PDF form).
- Technical subcommittees in which you will actively participate and a description of how you plan to contribute to ICDD activities. You will be prompted for this information in the online application.
To Apply for Affiliate Membership, you will need:
- A short curriculum vitae including fields of studies, a photo, and a publication list for the last five years (in PDF form).
- Letter of recommendation by a current active member, Technical Co-chair, or a Professor from your University (in PDF form).
- Technical subcommittees in which you will actively participate and a description of how you plan to contribute to ICDD activities. You will be prompted for this information in the online application.
For further information on becoming a member of the ICDD, please contact ICDD’s Corporate Secretary, Denise Zulli, or the Chair of the Membership Committee, Roman Shpanchenko.
The Board of Directors believes that membership is not merely honorary and expects that members contribute actively to ICDD in some way. In the past, this has involved in-person attendance at meetings; however, advances in electronic communication now make it possible to be an active contributor without a physical presence at ICDD’s headquarters in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA. ICDD members meet annually in March to exchange ideas and information, and to organize, plan, and review policies and procedures with the ICDD organization. As of March 2023, a hybrid option is now available for members to join the annual meetings remotely through Zoom. Other opportunities for involvement include participation in Task Groups, the Ludo Frevel Scholarship program, and the ICDD Grant-in-Aid program.
ICDD’s Expectations of Affiliate Members:
- Actively participate and contribute to ICDD. This can involve attending ICDD meetings (in-person or virtually) and actively taking part in committees and subcommittees.
- Participate and engage in the exchange of ideas and information, and provide advice on the organization, planning and reviewing of policies and procedures within ICDD.
- Inform ICDD of the needs and interests of the affiliate community through active participation in discussions regarding activities, opportunities, and products offered by ICDD.
Affiliate Membership Benefits:
- Access to a network of over 300 scientists from around the world working in academia, industry, and government. As an affiliate member, you will gain access to a wider network of professionals in your field. This can help you learn new skills from experienced professionals, keep up-to-date with cutting-edge research and developments, and provides the opportunity for worldwide networking and collaborations.
- Increased exposure and visibility: Being part of ICDD, the world’s largest not-for-profit diffraction data provider, will help boost your profile and give you increased exposure to other scientists in the X-ray and material characterization community. This can help you attract new collaborators, partners, and ultimately advance and move forward your research.
- Starts your journey towards professional active membership within ICDD.
- Access to an Early Career Researchers’ Networking Community, where you will have access to career development training, seminars, and workshops, as well as the opportunity to communicate with other early career researchers around the world who are also working in the field of X-rays, neutrons, electrons, and material characterization.
- Coming soon – An affiliate section/page on the ICDD website where you can showcase your research via virtual posters/short videos, provide bios on your professional career and skills, and access a Q&A section, with answers provided by qualified ICDD Active Members.
- Coming soon – Access to a mentorship program with active ICDD members providing guidance, advice, and support.