How to join NASW

We have a place for you! NASW offers three types of memberships.

Types of membership

Professional

Professional memberships are intended for journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology.

Professional members have access to a full range of benefits including job ads, discounts, and access to scientific journals. Professional members are eligible to vote, serve on committees, and hold office.

Applicants for professional membership are required to submit five samples of published 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 and may not be self-published. A wide variety of material can serve as clips. Examples include: articles produced (written OR edited) for newspapers, magazines, newsletters, or websites; podcasts or radio shows; institutional press releases or blog entries; public science communication material developed for museums or science centers such as exhibit or program content; and books.

Student

Student memberships are also available for those 18 years and older who are currently enrolled in a degree-granting program.

Student members are eligible for the same benefits as professional members with the exception of access to web hosting. Student members are invited to join NASW committees as interested. Student membership is a non-voting membership.

Student membership may be renewed year to year as long as the student remains enrolled. 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 or affiliate member, the member cannot return to student status in the event of further matriculation. Student applications do NOT require clips.

Affiliate

Affiliate memberships are available to those who have a strong personal interest in science writing as a profession and who uphold the aims and mission of the organization and who do not fit into one of the above types of membership. This type of membership is intended to support those who are interested in transitioning to science writing or developing science writing skills to support other work.

Affiliate members have access to a majority of the same benefits as professional members with the exception of access to scientific journals and discounts outside of the annual ScienceWriters conference. Affiliate membership is a non-voting membership. Affiliate members do not serve on committees.

Once an affiliate member has become a professional member, the member cannot return to affiliate status. Affiliate applications do NOT require clips.

Details and fees

Membership is based on the calendar year. Memberships are not prorated and expire Dec. 31, no matter the date of joining, except that memberships starting Nov. 1 or later expire on Dec. 31 of the following year.

Annual dues

Professional
Introductory rate in the first year (new applicants): $55
Renewal rate: $90

Student
Introductory rate in the first year (new applicants): $20
Renewal rate: $25

Affiliate
Introductory rate in the first year (new applicants): $55
Renewal rate: $90

Within each membership type, annual dues and benefits are the same for international and U.S.-based members with one exception: A lower rate of $25 is available for professional or affiliate memberships for those based in low and middle income countries, listed here by the WorldBank. This can be selected on the application page for international professional or affiliate memberships.

NASW memberships are based on an individual’s credentials. Since each individual must qualify for membership on their own professional qualifications, we do not offer institutional memberships. Under no circumstances are memberships transferable from one individual to another.

Lapsed members may renew at any time within two years after the last renewal. After two years of non-renewal, a member must re-apply.

We look forward to welcoming you as a member!

If you have not already done so, register for access to NASW.org as a guest. You will then receive an email asking you to verify your registration. Once you have done that, use the "Become an NASW member now" button and select your membership type from the page that follows.

Become an NASW member now

Questions? Drop a note to membership@nasw.org.