NAFEMS is the only community dedicated to engineering modelling, analysis, & simulation.

Membership F​eatures & Benefits

NAFEMS Resource Centre

The NAFEMS Resource Centre is a centralised, easily accessible database containing thousands of valuable materials, all categorised and tagged for simple searching.

This extensive library currently holds over 8,000 resources and grows weekly, including:

• Presentations from previous NAFEMS events.
• Conference papers and academic journals.
• Webinar recordings and magazine articles.
• Standard industry benchmarks
• Technical books and more.

✔️Member Benefit: Members have access to this vast array of resources as a standard part of their membership package.

Benchmark Magazine

Respected across the industry as the only truly independent publication focused on engineering analysis and simulation, Benchmark has been published since 1987 and has a controlled circulation of NAFEMS members and subscribers.

Articles span all areas of simulation from fundamental FEA and CFD right through to cutting-edge technologies ranging from AI/ML, Systems Engineering and Materials Modelling to Validation and Verification (V&V) and Uncertainty Quantification (UQ), encompassing all industries from aerospace to biomedical engineering.

✔️Member Benefit: Members receive free copies of each new issue of Benchmark Magazine quarterly.

World-Class Engineering Simulation Training

Since 1983, NAFEMS has been providing the engineering analysis, modelling, and simulation community with world-class, code-independent training. Our unique position as an international non-profit with no affiliation to any specific software code or provider means we are the only organization equipped to cater to the specific training needs of everyone involved in engineering analysis.

We provide a wide range of training, from bite-sized introductory courses like “Getting Started with FEA” to advanced-level, in-depth courses on pressure systems and components- all delivered by expert tutors.

We offer flexible and comprehensive training options:

All our programs are backed by over 40 years of experience as a pillar of the simulation community.

✔️Member Benefit: Members get at least 30% off all training and free exclusive access to on-demand training on the Learning Hub.

Global Events: Facilitating Connection

We actively engage the engineering analysis and simulation community by hosting more than fifty events each year. This robust schedule includes conferences, seminars,workshops, open forums, and webinars.

As the only truly independent organisation dedicated exclusively to engineering simulation, NAFEMS events provide the broadest and most accurate view of the technology currently available.

✔️Member Benefit: You and your colleagues can attend many of these events for free annually as part of your membership*. Members also receive significant discounts on attendance, exhibition, and sponsorship opportunities.

Publications: Industry Standards and Best Practices

Since 1983, we have published over 250 books covering the cutting-edge of engineering analysis and simulation.

• Most of the major commercial software codes have been tested against benchmarks produced by NAFEMS.
• Our publications are written by industry experts and extensively peer-reviewed by our working groups.

Each year, we produce a wide range of essential documents, including: how-to guides, industry surveys, technical textbooks, academic journals, and best-practice guidelines for engineering simulation.

✔️Member Benefit: When you join, you receive a library of your chosen publications (based on membership type), and you also get access to all new publications as they are produced.

Technical Working Groups

Our Technical Working Groups are at the heart of everything at NAFEMS. Drawn from our experienced, international membership, these groups are critical in identifying:

• Areas of interest and gaps in engineering analysis and simulation educational materials.
• Requirements for further research
• Opportunities for collaboration

They bring together a powerful combination of leading engineering practitioners, academic researchers, and software vendors, offering a unique, independent insight into every facet of engineering analysis and simulation.

✔️Member Benefit: As a NAFEMS member, you can apply to participate in groups where your expertise is relevant, and benefit from the combined experience and cutting-edge thought leadership of the NAFEMS community.

PSE Certification

The Professional Simulation Engineer (PSE) Certification is a program allowing engineers and analysts to formally demonstrate competencies acquired throughout their professional careers.

Independently assessed by NAFEMS, this certification:

1. Enables individuals to gain recognition for their level of competency and experience.
2. Allows the industry to easily identify suitable and qualified simulation personnel.

✔️Member Benefit: All NAFEMS members receive significant discounts on the application process and gain exclusive access to the NAFEMS competency tracker.

*​free event attendance is available with memberships from standard level and above, subject to sufficient seminar credits being available.

Membership Types

P​ricing

P​rices start at only £670 (€880 / $1015 US) for entry and academic memberships

W​e have memberships to suit freelancers, small consultancies, academic institutions, global conglomerates, and every size of organisation in between.

G​et in touch to find out what option is best for you and your team.

What our members say

Our graduate training program in FEA modeling and simulation fundamentals has received strong demand from working professionals seeking to strengthen skills for career advancement or a pivot to a new industry. I’ve talked with many program participants and their employers and have consistently heard that they value our NAFEMS membership and the credibility conferred to our program by the NAFEMS approval process. Our relationship with NAFEMS also offers a clear pathway to professional certification via the PSE credentials, and many participants in our program have cited this as a key reason they chose us.
-- Dr. Anthony Petrella - Director, FEA Professional Graduate Program - Colorado School of Mines

“Simulation will play a key role at Cummins as we evaluate and introduce technologies and products that help further reduce and eliminate carbon emissions.”
-- Bob G Tickel - Director - Multi-Disciplinary Simulation - Cummins

"Modeling, including data science & physics-based modeling, is a superpower!"
-- Alison Main, Associate Director, Proctor & Gamble

F​AQ

Membership Models & Eligibility

Q: Can I join NAFEMS as an individual freelancer or consultant?

A: Yes, absolutely. While our membership structure is primarily site-based, the Entry Membership is specifically designed for small companies, consultancies, and smaller analysis teams. If you are a sole trader or a freelancer, this is the tier for you. It provides full access to our resources, discounts on training, and connection to the community, just like a larger corporate membership, but at a price point tailored for smaller operations.

Q: What counts as a "Site" for membership? What if my team works remotely?

A: A "Site" typically refers to a single physical office location or a designated team hub. If your team is based at a specific office but works from home (hybrid/remote), they are covered under that site's membership.

• Entry & Standard: Cover all employees based at one specific site.
• Corporate Select: Covers employees at multiple named sites that you choose.
• Corporate Global: Covers every employee in your organisation, worldwide, regardless of where they are working.

Q: We are a university. Do we need to pay corporate rates?

A: No. We are committed to supporting the academic community. Recognised academic institutions can sign up for our Academic Membership. This gives you all the benefits of a Standard Membership (including seminar credits and multiple magazine copies) but at the lower price of the Entry Membership.

Q: I am a student. How can I join?

A: We have a dedicated NAFEMS for Students program. If your university is a member, you may already have access. Even if they aren't, you can register for free access to specific student resources—including textbooks, webinar recordings, and glossaries—by using your valid university email address. Check the "Student" section of our site to sign up and start accessing materials immediately.

Costs, Value, & ROI

Q: Is NAFEMS membership tax-deductible?

A: This depends on your location.

• In the UK: Yes, NAFEMS is on HMRC List 3 (Approved Professional Organisations). If you pay your membership fee personally and it’s relevant to your job, you can usually claim tax relief on the subscription.
• In other regions: Membership is typically a tax-deductible business expense for companies. We recommend checking with your local tax authority or accountant for specific advice regarding individual deductions.

Q: How do "Seminar Credits" work?

A: Seminar credits are one of the best ways to get immediate ROI from your membership.

• Allocation: Standard and Academic site members typically receive 8 credits per membership year.
• Value: Roughly speaking, 1 credit equals half a day of a seminar or conference.
• Example: To attend a standard 2-day conference for free, you would use 4 credits. This means your annual allocation could allow two people to attend a major event for free, or one person to attend two different events.

Tip: Using your credits effectively can save you more in event fees than the entire cost of your annual membership!

Q: What happens if we use all our Seminar Credits?

A: Don't worry, you still get a great deal. Once your credits are used up, all members are eligible for a significantly discounted Member Rate for event attendance. You never have to pay the full non-member price as long as your subscription is active.

Q​: Can I use Seminar Credits for training or the NAFEMS World Congress?

A​: Seminar credits are exactly that - for seminars and conferences. You cannot use seminar credits for training courses, or our World Congress.

Q: Do members get discounts on training?

A: Yes. Members receive a 30% discount on all NAFEMS training courses. This applies to both our classroom-based sessions and our e-learning courses. Since our training is code-independent and focuses on the physics and methodology of simulation, this is a great way to upskill your team across different software platforms for less.

Professional Development (PSE)

Q: What is PSE Certification, and why should I get it?

A: PSE (Professional Simulation Engineer) Certification is an independent recognition of your competency in engineering simulation. Unlike university degrees that prove academic knowledge, PSE proves you can apply that knowledge in a professional environment.

• For Engineers: It validates your skills to current and future employers, demonstrating that you meet an international standard of expertise.
• For Companies: It helps you benchmark your team's skills, identify training gaps, and give your clients confidence in your analysis capabilities.
• Note: Corporate Global members receive discounted PSE certification for all employees.

Q: Is there a fee for PSE Certification?

A: Yes, there is an application fee to cover the cost of the independent assessment and peer review process. However, NAFEMS members receive a significant discount on these fees (typically around 30-35% off). You can verify the current rates on the PSE Fees page.

Account & Administration

Q: Can I cancel my membership or event registration?

A: We hope you won't need to, but we do have policies in place if you do.

• Membership: There is a minimum 1-year term. If you need to discuss your renewal, please contact our team.
• Events: Generally, you can cancel for free up to 6 weeks before an event. Between 1 and 6 weeks, there is a cancellation charge (usually 75%). Cancellations within 1 week of the event are non-refundable, and this includes any seminar credits used.
• E-Learning: You can usually transfer your registration to a colleague or a later course for free if you do it before the course starts. Late transfers may incur an administration fee.

Q: How do I access the "Member Only" area of the website?

A: The primary contact for your membership (the person who set it up) can create accounts for your team. Once you have a login, you can access the Resource Centre, download PDF publications, view webinar archives, and manage your PSE competencies. If you are having trouble logging in, please contact our support team.

Q: How can we get more involved, for example in Technical Working Groups?

A: We love active members! Technical Working Groups (TWGs) are open to experts from our member organizations. Participating in a TWG is a fantastic way to network, influence industry standards, and learn from peers. If you have expertise in a specific area (like CFD, Dynamics, or Optimization) and want to contribute, please contact the specific working group chair or our technical team to express your interest.