Frequently Asked Questions on the Industrial Advisory Committee Nomination Requirements and Process

• Appointments to the Industrial Advisory Committee will be made on a rolling basis. 
• After initial members are appointed, nominations for the committee and subcommittee will be accepted and considered on an ongoing basis.

• The Federal Register notice announcing the call for nominations contains all necessary details to apply for membership.
• A summary of the candidate’s qualifications should be included with the nomination. This includes specifying the field of eminence for which the candidate is qualified and, where applicable, an indication as to whether the nominee currently serves or formerly served on federal advisory boards or in federal employment. 
• Each nomination letter should state that the candidate acknowledges the responsibilities of serving and will actively participate in good faith in the tasks of the committee.
• Self and third-party nominations are permitted. Third-party nominations should state that the candidate agrees to the nomination. 
• Nominees should:
  • Represent broad and interdisciplinary expertise and perspectives, including industry, federal laboratories and academic institutions, in fields relevant to microelectronics research, development, manufacturing and policy, such as representatives specializing in various stages of microelectronics production and utilization, financing, labor and workforce development, as well as state and local government.
  • For industry representatives, chief technology officers and similar may be most likely to have the appropriate level of knowledge and experience to contribute to the committee’s goals of advising on matters relating to microelectronics research, development, manufacturing and policy.

No specific format is required. Nominations should contain all necessary details to apply for membership. (See question on requirements for nominations.)

There are no statutory restrictions or requirements on who may submit a nomination. Nominations, be they self-nominations or from a third party, should contain all necessary details to apply for membership. Selections will be based on expertise and merit. (See question on requirements for nominations.)

Yes, self-nominations may be submitted. 

Yes. Any qualified candidate who can contribute to the statutory mission of the committee may be nominated. (See questions on requirements for nominations and diversity.)

Yes, federal employees may be nominated to serve on the committee. (See question on service capacity for more information.)

Members of the committee who are not full-time or permanent part-time federal officers or employees will be appointed to serve as representatives. Members who are full-time or permanent part-time federal officers or employees will be appointed pursuant to 41 C.F.R. § 102.3.130(h) to serve as regular government employee (RGE) members. Members will be individually advised of the capacity in which they will serve.

Members shall abide by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, and associated regulations, and federal laws and rules of ethics. Members may be expected to recuse themselves from discussions and decisions presenting a conflict of interest, as determined on a case-by-case basis.

• Nominations are requested through annual announcements in the Federal Register and through solicitations to NIST, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Academies, professional societies, business associations, labor associations and other appropriate organizations and individuals in order to ensure a diverse pool of applicants.
• Members will represent broad and interdisciplinary expertise and perspectives, including from industry, federal laboratories and academic institutions, in fields relevant to microelectronics research, development, manufacturing and policy, such as representatives specializing in various stages of microelectronics production and utilization, financing, labor and workforce development, as well as state and local government.

The committee will have no fewer than 12 members.

• Committee members serve three-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms at the discretion of the secretary. 
• Committee meetings will be conducted at least twice per year at the call of the designated federal officer (DFO) in consultation with the committee chair. Additional meetings may be called. 
• The committee will begin work soon after its members are appointed.

• The secretary of commerce appoints members to the committee.
• In addition, the secretary of commerce will appoint the chair and vice chair of the committee from among the members of the committee.

For nominations only, please email IACnom [at] CHIPS.gov (IACnom[at]chips[dot]gov).

For all other general inquiries, please send your email to AskCHIPS [at] chips.gov (AskCHIPS[at]chips[dot]gov).