Benefits of NASW membership

Membership in NASW means:

Belonging to a community of 2,700 journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, students and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology.
Being part of a group of professionals that fosters the interpretation of science and its meaning to society, in keeping with the highest standards of journalism.
Supporting an organization that promotes the professional interests of science writers nationally and globally, plays an active role in supporting efforts to ensure writers are paid for their work, and advocates for copyright protections for writers.
Having the opportunity to share best practices, stay on the forefront of science communication, network with like-minded professionals, and have your work acknowledged by peers.
Adding your voice to an organization that, above all, fights for the free flow of science news. NASW actively promotes press freedom and facilitates efforts to preserve and improve access to information related to science and scientific research.

Benefits include:

Job leads. The jobs list offers more than 200 announcements of full, part-time, and freelance opportunities for science writers each year.
Free access to scientific journals, including major publishers such as Elsevier, Wiley, and the American Physical Society.
Deeply discounted registration rates for our annual ScienceWriters conference, which provides opportunities for networking and professional development.
ScienceWriters, NASW's twice-yearly magazine, which reports on trends, issues and controversies, news of regional events, and includes practical advice on freelancing, teaching, public affairs, and other professional specialties. The magazine is available in both print and digital versions.
Monthly newsletter offering insights and information on topics relevant to science writers of all professional backgrounds.
Access to travel fellowships and grants, including awards to attend the annual ScienceWriters conference, fellowships for travel to the World Conference of Science Journalists, and career development grants.
Access to members-only virtual events, including professional development panels and networking socials.
Free entry for NASW's Science in Society Journalism Awards and Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards contests.
Access to searchable databases including:

Funding Sources, a listing of fellowships, grants, and other opportunities for writers.
Fairness Resources, which includes state-by-state contacts, sources, and information regarding situations involving representation, equity, and harassment.

Access to discounted rates on membership in the National Writers Union, to take advantage of their legal advice, power and backing in resolving payment disputes with publishers.
Access to discounts on tools, software, and travel, including 20% off Scrivener software and 25% off JSTOR's JPASS journal database.
Free hosting of your Web site, up to 10 MB. (Regular members only.)
Discounted rates for students include access to travel grants to the annual ScienceWriters conference as well as the AAAS annual meeting, where NASW hosts education activities like the internship fair and mentoring program.

Costs

Memberships are annual and run from January 1-December 31. Applicants are responsible for paying the full annual amount, no matter the date of joining.

Special introductory rate starting August 2020

Professional Member dues: $55
International: $55

Special student introductory rate starting May 2020

U.S. Student Member dues: $20
International: $20

Affiliate category launched January 2022 (Learn More)

U.S. Affiliate Member dues: $55
International: $55

Additional discounts listed at www.nasw.org/join. Lapsed members may renew at anytime within two years after the last renewal. After two years of non-renewal, a member must re-apply.

To join

First, if you have not already done so, register for access to NASW.org as a guest. You will receive an email asking you to verify your registration. Then use the "Join NASW" link in the upper right corner of your screen.

Applicants for regular membership are required to submit five samples of work (content should be science) produced for a non-expert audience in the past five years. Clips must include the publication or airing dates for each entry.

Student memberships are also available for those who are currently enrolled. Student membership may be renewed year to year as long as the student remains enrolled in a degree-granting program. Upon completion, graduation, or if the student is no longer actively enrolled, student members must apply to become Professional or Affiliate members. Students may retain student status during a short (6 months or fewer) transition period, i.e. between undergraduate and graduate programs. Once a student has become a Professional member, he or she cannot return to student status in the event of further matriculation. Student and Affiliate membership applications do NOT need clips.

Membership is based on the calendar year. Memberships are not pro-rated and expire December 31, no matter the date of joining. Lapsed members may renew at anytime within two years after the last renewal. After two years of non-renewal, a member must re-apply.

For further information, contact:

Tinsley Davis, executive director
Organizer, NASW ScienceWriters annual meeting
P.O. Box 7905
Berkeley, CA 94707
Phone: (510) 859-7229

Become an NASW member now