IUBS Scientific Members

Societies and other organisations concerned with biological research or education, and having memberships and activities transcending national boundaries, may apply to join the IUBS as Scientific Members. While some criteria are flexible, they usually include:

The Society's members come from several countries.
The Society's Officers and Council are drawn from several countries.
The Society sponsors regular meetings (e.g. quadrennial) held in different countries.
The Society initiates or supports multi-national biological activities.

A Society wishing to join the IUBS as a Scientific Member should write to the IUBS Secretariat in Paris (with copies to the IUBS President and Secretary-General) requesting that it be considered for membership. The letter should include background information demonstrating the internationality of the Society and its activities, e.g.:

a description of the Society and its concept and goals
activities that it sponsors (meetings, workshops, small grants, etc.)
how often it meets and where (e.g. a list of meetings and venues)
a list of Officers and their countries
a membership list, including countries of residence
a copy of its Constitution, Articles of Association (or similar document)
reasons why the Society is interested in IUBS (e.g. increased international collaboration).

The request is considered by the Executive Committee of IUBS, which can grant provisional acceptance. Formal acceptance requires approval by the next (triennial) General Assembly. Assuming the Executive Committee grants provisional acceptance, the Society becomes eligible immediately for all the "benefits and responsibilities" attendant to Scientific Membership.

Benefits of Scientific Membership for Societies include:

representation at triennial IUBS General Assemblies and Scientific Symposia
right to vote on all scientific matters (but not administrative matters)
venues to inform governments, societies and individuals about international programmes
interest-free loans for building international symposia, conferences and workshops
grants to initiate international research activities
facilitation of liaisons between national and international organisations
facilitation of cooperation with international agencies (e.g. UNESCO, WHO, UNEP, CBP, FAO) and NGOs
access to "Biology International," the IUBS periodical
no dues or other costs to scientific members (dues are paid only by "Ordinary Members" - the national Academies of Science).

Responsibilities of Scientific Membership include:

to produce a report on international activities for each (triennial) General Assembly.
to encourage involvement in IUBS activities.
to initiate programmes (as appropriate) for IUBS sponsorship or endorsement
to transmit suggestions, concerns and issues to the IUBS Executive Committee.