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Matching Membership Program

In 1983, the American Physical Society established the Matching Membership Program in order to make APS membership available to physicists living in developing and hard-currency-poor countries. Through the Matching Membership Program, individuals residing in eligible countries—especially those who are members of their national physical societies—may apply for a reduced-cost membership (Matching Membership). Matching Membership is available in one of two categories:

Sponsored: A half-price membership at $59.00 will be available for those who have an individual or institution who will sponsor them and provide payment. Members at this level can subscribe to a maximum of one (1) journal at member rates and register for APS meetings at member rates, in addition to receiving APS News and Physics Today. Membership will be renewed on a yearly basis via invoice. A maximum term of six (6) years' participation in this reduced-cost program will afford other colleagues the opportunity to participate.
Fund: A free membership is available to individuals on a limited basis. Applicants who are unable to pay and who do not have a sponsor may request APS support. Each applicant will be required to submit a CV and a personal statement describing why subsidized membership should be approved.

The term of participation in the FUND category of the Matching Membership Program is four (4) years, during which you will not be billed any membership dues. All FUND category participants will receive APS News and Physics Today as part of their membership. While no journal publications (e.g., the Physical Review series) are included in the FUND category of the Matching Membership Program, some participants may be eligible to access APS journals for free via other programs. APS Journal Access for Developing Countries

As mentioned, each member sponsored through the Fund Program may participate for no more than four (4) years in order to accommodate as many physicists as possible. At the completion of the four-year term, all participants may be given the opportunity to re-apply for the program if they are unable to convert to the higher dues rate. Enrollment in this Program is limited to 1.5% of the current APS membership level.

We encourage the physical societies and institutes with which we share reciprocity to inform their members of this beneficial program. We emphasize that membership in the applicant’s national society is desirable to strengthen the association between APS and Reciprocal Member Societies.

For further information, please contact the APS Membership Department at 301-209-3280 or e-mail membership@aps.org.