IMS Participants and Association

Membership

Member regions of the IMS program are called Participants, and the Participants are responsible for support, governance, guidance, and marketing to fulfil the mission of promoting manufacturing R&D in its unique global framework. This not only requires funding, but establishment of a local “Regional Secretariat” office in each Participant region. Because of this high level of commitment, entry of new members from less developed manufacturing economies has been difficult. In order to reduce the barrier for new members to join, in 2006 IMS established the “IMS Associate” that allows participation in IMS on a limited basis at a reduced cost. Associates may observe IMS meetings and benefit from some of its programs, and researchers may join IMS projects and benefit from global access to research and networking. With this new level of participation available, IMS hopes to increase membership through active marketing to industrial countries.

Governments interesting in joining the IMS program may contact the Inter-Regional Secretariat for more information.