Evolving and Growing the Ergonomics Profession

Our Vision

A world where user-centered design is recognized for its value to improve society.

What We Do

Group of young interns working at office

Impact Grants

Foundation for Professional Ergonomics (FPE) Impact Grants provide seed funding for small (pilot) projects that support the development of professional ergonomics worldwide.  The two latest projects address: 
  • Certification system and core competencies for professional ergonomists in Thailand.
  • Investigation of the ergonomic risks common to workers in the batik industry in Malaysia.

Ergonomics Toolkit

FPE and the Ergonomics Committee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) updated the Ergonomic Assessment Toolkit with assistance from NIOSH and HFES.
Closeup photo of an electrician's hands using multimeter for detecting electrical failure.
Close-up Of Businessperson Hand Stopping Colorful Blocks From Falling On Table In Office

Special Needs Assistance

FPE has provided solar chargers to University of Puerto Rico students following Hurricane Katrina; tuition support for a foreign student to complete their HF/E program; and funds to enable practitioners with a financial need to continue their work within the standards of certification

Students Awards

FPE sponsors the Annual Dieter W. Jahns Student
Practitioner Award award for a student project in
ergonomics that demonstrates excellence in areas of analysis, design, and integration.  2022 Winner – Siobhan Merriman:  “I feel privileged to receive it and will be even more motivated to continue my work in Human Factors and Ergonomics.”

Professional young female designer team meeting on glass wall and looking at many sticky memo paper thinking discussing design case planning.

Impact Grants

FPE announces the availability of the 2023/2024 Impact Grants that aim to support small projects in the quest of developing professional ergonomics around the world. The funding preference will be given, but not limited to, applicants from the developing countries (as defined by United Nations) or proposals that help develop or grow professional ergonomics in the developing countries. The Impact Grants are intended as seed funding for small (pilot) projects that could potentially lead to but are not required, more extensive funding opportunities from other sources in the future. The expected budget of a single proposal should be between $500 and $2,000 and must not exceed 2,500 USD. Proposals should be sent to Waldemar Karwowski, wkarwowski@gmail.com with a copy to Harvey Cohen, harvey@erroranalysis.com.  The deadline for submission is June 30, 2023 with awards decision announced by August 15, 2023. The general format for proposals is given here.

Interested in preparing for the BCPE exam? Take the 5+ hours set of webinars. Click here for more information.

FPE facilitates mentoring of students and early career professionals in the practice of Ergonomics, Human Factors, and User Experience. Click here

 

Want to get involved?

Andrew S. Imada, Ph.D., CPE

"After 20 years at USC, I made a career change to full time consulting. This has been most rewarding because I get to see real change that happens when human, machine and organizational systems work harmoniously as a system."

Andrew S. Imada, Ph.D., CPE
H. Harvey Cohen, PhD,CPE
"Neither my writing over 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications, 5 books, and too many book chapters to count nor having personally investigated and likely prevented thousands of injury incidents compares to the experiences I have had with early career HFE professionals over the years.  Building relationships with the dozens of students and early career professionals has made me most proud."
H. Harvey Cohen, PhD,CPE
Valerie Berg Rice, PhD, CPE, OTR/L

"What’s not to love about a job where you get to ask questions, answer them,
and then travel to explain the answers to other professionals and para-professionals,
who will use the information to make the world a better place?"

Valerie Berg Rice, PhD, CPE, OTR/L
Sheree Gibson, PE, CPE

"GOOD ergonomics is all but invisible. BAD ergonomics is not.
That is why I have spent so much of my career teaching the fundamentals to mechanical engineers and supervisors.
It expands our sphere of influence beyond our profession."

Sheree Gibson, PE, CPE
Stephen C. Merriman, M.A

"After more than 50 years as a practitioner ergonomist, I continue to find ample opportunity to improve system designs. This has helped me focus on improving the user interface, human engineering and human systems integration (HSI) requirements that are applied to complex system development projects."

Stephen C. Merriman, M.A

Contact Us

Foundation for Professional Ergonomics
5173 Waring Road, Suite 157
San Diego, CA 92120-2705

contact@ergofoundation.org

Who We Are

The Foundation for Professional Ergonomics was established in 2004 as a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing professionalism in ergonomics through educational activities and awards.  Our goals support the goals of BCPE, and we work closely with the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) on various ergonomics practitioner initiatives.  FPE attained an IRS 501(c)(3) status enabling tax-deductible donations from those sharing this dedication to professionalism in ergonomics. 

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