EERI is currently accepting applications from practicing professionals who wish to participate in the Friedman Family Visiting Professionals (FFVP) Program. This program, permanently endowed by the Friedman Family, focuses on fostering better understanding and communication between and among earthquake practitioners and academics. It has been in continuous operation since 1997, with over 40 different professionals having made over 300 visits during its existence.
Both student chapters and visiting professionals have raved about the importance of this program and its incredible benefits to undergraduate and graduate students. The program objectives are:
- Improve the understanding of students and faculty of the active professional earthquake engineering and risk reduction community
- Enhance the understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of earthquake engineering
- Increase the professional's understanding of the educational process
- Utilize the unique intellectual resources of EERI to broker useful relationships
- Use the resources of EERI to help students understand and consider professional careers associated with earthquake engineering and earthquake risk reduction
The application deadline is Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Selected applicants will participate in the 2025-2026 program year and will make their visit to their matched university in the first half of 2026. Existing Friedman Family professionals do not need to apply.
The position of a Friedman Family Visiting Professional is a volunteer position. Applicants must be practicing professionals and EERI members in good standing. This program looks for ambassadors of EERI who are willing to travel to student chapters and share their experiences in their field and how EERI has impacted their careers by giving a lecture and participating in additional informal activities. Participating professionals must be available to communicate regularly with EERI staff, travel to universities (mainly the US and Canada, with a few other international locations), and engage actively with undergraduate and graduate students to plan and execute their visit. EERI provides travel stipends to cover travel and lodging for your visits. Some visits may also be held virtually due to funding or other circumstances.
EERI and the FFVP Program are interested in applicants who:
- Are role models for their discipline and field.
- Are dedicated to EERI and its vision and mission (see here).
- Are involved in EERI and can speak about its impact on their career.
- Have a strong desire to meet and interact with undergraduate and graduate student members of EERI student chapters.
- Are interested in interacting with university faculty members.
- Can plan their own travel and coordinate logistics with the student chapter members.
To be considered, please submit a written statement and a CV/resume using this form. Your written statement should include the following:
- Why are you interested in being a Friedman Family Visiting Professional?
- What is your experience as a speaker and working with students?
- What potential topics could you discuss during a lecture (click here to see some existing topics).
- What added value would you bring to the FFVP Program?
Note, that the application form requires a Google account to submit. If you do not have a Google account and can not make one, you can submit your materials by sending them in an email attachment to
Questions about the application process should be sent to
