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Committee to Advance Participation in Engineering (CAPE)

Project Status
In Progress
July 28, 2025
February
01
2025
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At-a-Glance
The Committee to Advance Participation in Engineering (CAPE) was established in 2025 to proactively support the National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE) mission by addressing the urgent need to grow the U.S. engineering workforce.
CAPE will advise the NAE on ways to increase access to engineering careers and foster leadership in critical areas—including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and other enabling technologies. The committee’s work aims to ensure the long-term welfare, competitiveness, and prosperity of the United States through innovation and a robust engineering talent pipeline. 

Global competition for talented engineers is intensifying. To remain competitive, the United States must invest in attracting and supporting the development of engineers. 

The NAE engages leaders across academia, industry, and government to meet future workforce needs across all U.S. states and territories. CAPE will help guide strategies that increase public awareness of engineering and expand opportunities to participate in the profession.

NAE member Norman Augustine, retired CEO and chairman of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, emphasizes this imperative in his article “The Uncapped Potential: Engineering an Opportunity of a Lifetime,” in the Fall 2024 issue of The Bridge.

As NAE President Emeritus Dan Mote put it: Engineers create solutions that serve the welfare of humanity and the needs of society. CAPE is grounded in this principle and exists to ensure the NAE’s work advances these goals. 
 

Committee Charge

In support of promoting a vibrant engineering profession that advances the national welfare and prosperity, CAPE will:

  • Identify evidenced-based best practices for addressing barriers to participation and broadening pathways in engineering from early education (K-12) through advanced research careers. 
  • Recommend actionable strategies to scale these practices nationally—such as policy changes, funding mechanisms, cross-sector partnerships, and community investment—to increase participation. 
  • Promote best practices within the NAE to enhance mentorship and networking, and increase representation at all levels, including leadership.
  • Advise NAE strategy for fundraising to support the recommendations above and to advance initiatives such as Engineering for Good, which elevate the societal impact of engineering.