CCR's membership currently comprises more than 120 companies, universities, and government laboratories with a combined R&D budget of more than $7 billion.

[3] The goal was to improve trust and collaboration between the public and private sector research communities.

The association was incorporated in 1980 as the "Chemical Research Council, Inc." The members of the Founding Board were M.E.

[4] CCR works with the US President, US Congress and federal agencies and research labs on public policy issues within its area of expertise, and writes position statements annually on the budget for federal agencies which fund research in the chemical sciences.

CCR's Diversity Award recognizes, "...an individual who has directly impacted organizational ability to advance and promote diversity..." Much of CCR's work is accomplished by volunteer representatives who participate in Action Networks.

Action Networks are knowledge-action communities of CCR members and colleagues, led by a three-person team of government, industry, and university volunteer leaders.