The Portland Cement Association (PCA) serves as the leading policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization for America's cement manufacturers since 1916. It is dedicated to supporting sustainability, innovation, and safety, alongside promoting continuous improvement in cement manufacturing, distribution, infrastructure, and economic growth.
The J.P. Gleason Research Fellowship Program, funded by the Portland Cement Association Education Foundation, aims to broaden public understanding of cement and concrete's appropriate uses. It specifically supports advancing scientific knowledge in engineering and the physical sciences related to cement and concrete production and utilization through scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other support. The program focuses on attracting outstanding candidates in engineering and the physical sciences, offering them necessary support to complete their studies and opportunities for productive work in the cement and concrete industries. Current research topics are urged to address sustainability, cement manufacturing improvements, and the development of better testing and tools, especially in light of climate change challenges, as outlined in PCA’s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality.