Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

The Advanced Energy and Propulsion Research Institute ("AEPRI," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors, applicants, and users of our website at aepri.ai. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and share information when you interact with our website and services. By accessing or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily submit through our website, including:

• Contact Form Submissions: Name, email address, organization, subject, and message content submitted through our contact page.
• Grant Applications: Name, email address, organization name, research area, project title, project description, funding amount requested, and any supporting documentation submitted through our grant application form.
• Service Applications: Information submitted when applying for specific research services, including research parameters, technical specifications, and project details relevant to the requested service.
• Account Information: If you create an account, we collect your name and authentication credentials provided through our sign-in process.

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, navigation paths, and interaction patterns with our services catalog.
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution, and device identifiers.
• Network Information: IP address, referring URL, and general geographic region.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To process grant applications, service requests, and provide research support services through our 200 institutional-grade service offerings.
• Communication: To respond to inquiries submitted through our contact form and to provide updates regarding submitted applications.
• Website Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve the functionality, content, and user experience of our website.
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, unauthorized access, or fraudulent activity.
• Compliance: To comply with applicable legal obligations and regulatory requirements.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

AEPRI does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, processing applications, and delivering services, subject to confidentiality obligations.
• Research Partners: With your consent, we may share application details with affiliated research institutions and the Embassy Row Project for the purpose of evaluating and supporting research initiatives.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information when required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• Protection of Rights: We may disclose information to protect the rights, property, or safety of AEPRI, our users, or the public.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the information we collect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encrypted data transmission (TLS/SSL), secure server infrastructure, access controls, and regular security assessments. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Contact form submissions and grant applications are retained for the duration of the application review process and for a reasonable period thereafter for record-keeping and compliance purposes.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to maintain session state, remember user preferences, and collect analytics data. Essential cookies are required for the website to function properly, including authentication cookies for logged-in users. You may configure your browser to refuse cookies, though this may limit certain features of the website.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

• Access: The right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: The right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
• Deletion: The right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Objection: The right to object to certain processing of your personal information.
• Portability: The right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through the contact form on our website. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

10. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child, we will take steps to delete that information.

11. International Data Transfers

AEPRI operates globally, and your information may be transferred to and processed in jurisdictions other than your own. We take appropriate steps to ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and that your information receives an adequate level of protection.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please reach out to us through the contact form available at aepri.ai/contact.