INCE Foundation, Inc.

What is the INCE Foundation?

The INCE Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt publicly-supported charitable organization. The INCE Foundation was established in 1993 with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering of the USA (INCE-USA). It is incorporated in the State of New York, is organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is classified as a publicly-supported charity. Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible. All donations are appreciated, acknowledged, and serve to support education in noise control engineering. 

The INCE Foundation maintains tight control over all expenses.  The Foundation has no paid staff or consultants. The Foundation’s governing body consists of outstanding scientists and engineers who have made major contributions to the field of noise control engineering.  All serve without compensation.  Most annual expenses other than awards are related to printing and mailing services plus an annual registration fee.

The purposes of the Foundation are to:

  • support, promote, and advance scientific and educational activities directed toward the theory and practice of noise control engineering,
  • aid in the progress and development of this field and related arts and sciences,
  • promote, and support such scientific and educational activities through grants, funding, and financial assistance to various individuals, institutions, and organizations.

Awards given by the Foundation

The Martin Hirschorn IAC Prize

This prize is funded with the income from a $100,000 gift given in 1999 by the New York Community Trust, Martin Hirschorn IAC Fund. The prize is awarded annually, but for two different purposes:

  • In odd-numbered years, the $4000 Martin Hirschorn IAC Prize is awarded "...as a contribution to the education of a graduate student studying noise control engineering in the United States of America who proposes a project related to an application of noise control engineering and/or acoustical conditioning of architectural spaces."
  • In even-numbered years, the $4000 Martin Hirschorn IAC Prize is given for "The best paper on new and/or improved cost effective noise control and/or acoustical conditioning products as published in the two years preceding the award."
       
          Michiko So Finegold Awards

This award  is for student conference-travel expenses from generous contributions from The Michiko So Finegold Memorial Trust Foundation facilitated by INCE-USA member Larry Finegold. This award is given annually.


         Hallberg Foundation Awards

This award for student conference-travel expenses from generous contributions from The Elizabeth L. and Russell F. Hallberg Foundation facilitated by INCE-USA member Douglas F. Winker. This award is given annually.


        Leo Beranek Student Medals

This special Medal was established by the Board of Directors of INCE-USA on 2010 October 24 to recognize excellence in the study of noise-control by undergraduate and graduate students at academic institutions in North America that have courses in, or related to, noise-control engineering including practical applications. A personalized  medallion is included with this award.

"Student contributions to the betterment of techniques for the control of noise in buildings, vehicles and outdoors, and of means for reducing noise produced by any loud source is readily sought and will now be recognized by this Student Medal. I am proud to be namesake for this important student award."  Leo Beranek


        Outstanding Educator Award

The INCE-USA Outstanding Educator Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Noise Control Engineering is intended to honor a person who has significantly advanced the technology and practice of noise control engineering through unique contributions to the education of future noise control engineers. The Award consists of a Certificate and a cash grant of $2000.


        Laymon N. Miller Award for Excellence in Acoustical Consulting

The Laymon N. Miller Award for Excellence in Acoustical Consulting is an annual award to be provided jointly by the National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC) and the INCE-USA. This award is to be provided to an individual who has practiced acoustical consulting in an exemplary manner over a sustained period of time to improve acoustical environments in and around buildings, transportation systems, work places, recreational and other occupied spaces such that the quality of life for citizens and communities is significantly enhanced. A personalized medallion is included with this award.


         Willian W. Lang Distinguished Noise Control Engineer Award

The William W. Lang INCE Distinguished Noise Control Engineer Award is intended to recognize individuals who have rendered conspicuous and consistently outstanding service to the Institute and to the field of noise control engineering over a sustained period. This honor corresponds to the title "Distinguished Professor" in academia and to the Honorary Fellowship Award of professional societies such as the Acoustical Society of America. This recognition does not involve a new grade of membership. Nominations for the Award are accepted every other year, though there is no guarantee the Award will be bestowed each 2-year cycle. A personalized medallion is included with this award.


         George C. Maling Award for Excellence in Noise Control Engineering

The George C. Maling Award for Excellence in Noise Control Engineering is intended to stimulate the development and/or recognition of noise control engineering technology for the ultimate benefit of society and to provide, and disseminate widely, recognition for one or more individuals or institutions who have demonstrated one or more contemporary and outstanding products or processes in the applied art of noise control engineering. The product or process should also be capable to making an effective contribution toward a quieter environment. This honorary award is similar, in concept, to the Malcolm Baldridge Award program of the US Department of Commerce, as well as similar awards from professional societies such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) or the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Nominations for the Award are accepted every other year, though there is no guarantee the Award will be bestowed each 2-year cycle. A personalized medallion is included with this award.


        Student Papers Award
 
Student paper competitions judged on the quality of both the written submission, as well as the oral presentation that take place during INCE-USA-sponsored annual conferences in North America. Student authors of up to five outstanding papers receive awards of $1000 during the annual conferences. Authors of winning papers that are expanded and published in the Noise Control Engineering Journal receive an additional award.


       Undergraduate Student Project Award

The objective of this award is to recognize undergraduate students undertaking independent studies project work in noise control engineering and related topics and to provide them with nominal grants to cover expenses that otherwise would not be available from the university resources. This award includes a cash grant of $1000.


        Classic Papers in Noise Control Engineering Award

This award is made to students presenting during an INCE-USA conference on seminal noise control papers with a focus on the main thrust of the original paper and additional work and analysis that has been done by the student presenter and how the original paper has influenced subsequent research or noise control practice. This award for $1000 is presented at each conference in North America.

For more information about these awards and to see a history of awards and recipients, go to INCE-USA Awards.

INCE Foundation Officers and Directors

Officers: Eric W. Wood, President, Gordon L. Ebbitt, Vice President–Development, James K. Thompson, Secretary, Robert D. Hellweg, Treasurer.

Directors: Robert J. Bernhard, Patricia Davies, Paul R. Donavan, Gordon L. Ebbitt, Robert D. Hellweg, George C. Maling, Jr., Steve Marshall, James K. Thompson, and Eric W. Wood

Foundation Newsletter

The INCE Foundation publishes an annual newsletter that describes the awards given each year. Copies of the newsletter may be obtained from the president, Eric W. Wood, by sending an e-mail to ewood@ACENTECH.com.

Contributions to the Foundation

Contributions to the INCE Foundation may be made by check or in conjunction with INCE-USA Member dues. Checks should be made payable to the INCE Foundation and sent to Robert D. Hellweg,  Treasurer, 13 Pine Tree Road, Wellesley, MA 02482. All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged.

Individuals or companies contributing $100 or more to the Foundation can receive either of the following

  • The 2010 National Academy of Engineering report "Technology for a Quieter America" ($18 of which is not tax deductable)
  • A copy of the 96-page booklet "Noise and Vibration Control—Principles and Applications". This booklet is a collection of drawings and explanatory text that illustrate the principles of noise control. The material was prepared by the late Stig Ingemansson, and copies of the booklet were donated to the INCE Foundation by Ingemansson Technology AB in Gothenburg, Sweden.
  • A CD-ROM of all of the technical papers published in Noise Control Engineering Journal, Volumes 1-48 (1973-2000).
A new book, Engineering Dynamics and Vibrations, has just been published that might be of interest to you. The book is available through Amazon.  An INCE-USA Member, Jim Thompson, is the author of Chapter 10 "Principles of Noise Control". Jim has made this chapter available as a PDF to to any individaul for $35. All of the funds will go to the INCE Foundation. If you would like to purchase a copy of the "Principles of Noise Control", while making a tax free donation to the INCE Foundation you may contact the INCE-USA office.


Recognition levels for donations to the INCE Foundation

  • Benefactor: $1000 and up
  • Patron: $500 - $999
  • Sponsor: $250 - $499
  • Donor: $100 - $249
  • Friends: up to $99