Membership Types

[ Individual Membership Form ] | [ Institutional Membership Form ]

The ACSS offers two kinds of membership: Institutional and Individual. Conditions, rights and responsibilities of membership are outlined in Articles V, VI and VII of the ACSS Charter.

ACSS membership is on a calendar-year basis, January 1 through December 31. Dues are owed each January, and are non-refundable.

All applications are reviewed by the Membership Committee that is formed by the ACSS Board of Trustees and which makes all decisions regarding membership. The Membership Committee reviews applications twice a year: in January and between June and September of each year.

Institutional Membership

Institutional Membership (non-voting) is open to:

• Arab associations, foreign associations and their subsidiaries dealing with social sciences and social research and operating in or in direct relationship with the Arab world.
• Social science research institutions and centers that are non-profit, and conduct research for the public good. This includes research centers and departments within universities.
• International organizations that engage in social science research.

ACSS annual membership dues for institutional members are as follows in US Dollars:

• $150 for institutions with an annual turn-over less than $150,000
• $300 for institutions with an annual turn-over between $150,000 and $300,000 (inclusive)
• $500 for institutions with an annual turn-over greater than $300,000

All Institutional Members must designate a primary representative. Additional donations are encouraged, and approved Institutional Members will be provided with an annual donation form.

Benefits of Institutional Membership:

• The right to attend the biennial ACSS General Assembly meetings;
• Opportunity to organize meetings, workshops and activities in conjunction with the biennial conference;
• Networking opportunities at ACSS events;
• The right to purchase ACSS publications at a discounted rate;
• Listing on the Institutional Members’ page of the ACSS website
• Opportunity to announce activities and publications on the ACSS website and social media sites

To apply for Institutional Membership, please complete the online Institutional Membership Form.

Individual Membership Categories

       I. Associate Membership (non-voting) is open to individuals who fulfill all the following criteria:

• Hold an Arab nationality or are originally from an Arab country regardless of their current country of residence. This includes Palestinians residing in the occupied Palestinian territories, with the exception of the Palestinians of 1948, who, according to Lebanese Laws, cannot be members of the ACSS.
• Hold a PhD (or its equivalent) and have experience in the social sciences or a related field.
• Work in the field of Social Sciences
• Pay their yearly membership fees to the ACSS.

Please note that all applicants are first accepted as Associate Members if they meet the above criteria. After one year of membership, Associate Members can then apply to become Active Members based on the additional criteria listed below:

    II.  Active Membership (voting) is open to individuals who fulfill all of the above criteria for Associate Membership in addition to the following:

• Having spent at least one year as an Associate Member
• Having publications commensurate with years of professional experience in the social sciences or a related field.
• Having participated actively in ACSS events

ACSS annual membership dues for Associate and Active members are currently $40 and $60 respectively. Individuals can email members@theacss.org to request a waiver or reduction of these dues. Fee waivers and reductions will be granted by the Membership Committee on a case-by-case basis.

 III. Student Membership (non-voting) is open to students who fulfill the following criteria:

• Hold an Arab nationality or are originally from an Arab country regardless of their current country of residence. This includes Palestinians residing in the occupied Palestinian territories, with the exception of the Palestinians of 1948, who, according to Lebanese Laws, cannot be members of the ACSS.
• Have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or a related field.
• Are registered as Masters or PhD students in a social science discipline.

ACSS annual Student Membership dues are currently $10.

 IV. Honorary Membership is a closed membership where an individual is selected and invited by the Board of Trustees to join the ACSS as a non-voting member.

Note that the individual selected as an honorary member might not meet some or any of the membership criteria.

Benefits of Individual Membership:

For Associate and Active Members:

• Travel grants to attend conferences (when funding is available);
• Discounts on ACSS publications;
• Participation in the ACSS activities and application to certain grants that are open to members only;
• The opportunity to contribute to discussions that shape and form the activities and programs of the ACSS;

For Active Members only:

• The right to vote in the ACSS Board of Trustees elections and/or to be nominated to the Board of Trustees;
• The right to vote on any motion presented at ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the General Assembly;

To apply, please submit a completed Individual Membership Form, including the required uploads:

• An up-to-date CV that includes a complete list of publications
• A photocopy of passport or identity card
• For Student Members ONLY: proof of current enrollment, such as student ID or copy of current transcript
• For Student Members ONLY: signed copy of ACSS Student Member Recommendation Letter (Note: Students will be required to print a copy of this form, and have this form completed and signed by their academic supervisor. They will then need to scan and upload a completed copy of the form to their membership application. If they are unable to scan/upload a completed form, they can fax a completed form directly to the ACSS)

Membership applications will be processed twice annually: in January and between June and September.

All applications are reviewed by the Council's Board of Trustees Membership Committee, which recommends acceptance or refusal of the membership to the Board of Trustees for final decision. Successful applicants will be notified by email. Those approved for membership will be provided with further instructions on how to pay annual dues and access members-only content on the website.

Any questions? Please contact: members@theacss.org