Membership

Sigma Xi is an international, multidisciplinary  community of science and engineering professionals dedicated to research excellence, to promoting public engagement with science, and to fostering the next generation of researchers. Through the recognition and honor of induction, Sigma Xi members join a distinguished community of researchers. The principal benefits of membership are:

• The pursuit of excellence along with equally passionate colleagues
• The chance to "pay forward" to our profession through a career of
  • Active encouragement of, and participation in, research
  • Maintaining this community of excellence
• The ability to voice concerns and offer direction with informed evidence on critically important issues nationally and beyond, and
• The opportunity to "pay back" for your gratifying career through mentorship and support of our profession 

Sigma Xi membership is a competitive advantage that helps one position for success. Sigma Xi offers members professional development training, leadership opportunities, and access to a myriad of necessary career development resources. We achieve benefits for members through numerous activities including

• Promoting Responsible Conduct of Research and Scientific Integrity 
• Recognizing Scientific Achievements
• Honoring Scientific Contributions through Membership
• Awards and Prizes
• Grants-in-Aid of Research
• Distinguished Lectureships
• Promoting Public Understanding of Science (communication) and Impact on Policy
• Student Research Showcases
• Providing opportunities for professional development and leadership
• Access to diverse, multidisciplinary professional network
• Opportunities to Collaborate within and beyond your discipline
• Chapter Meetings

How to become a member

• Membership in Sigma Xi is by invitation (nomination).
• Sigma Xi membership requires endorsement/nomination by two Sigma Xi members.
• Sigma Xi membership is not linked to the possession of any specific education degree.
• Sigma Xi membership is not contingent upon belonging to some other organization.
• Students and non-students follow the same review process for Sigma Xi membership.
• Neither Sigma Xi, nor any chapter of Sigma Xi, shall discriminate against candidates for election to membership on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

Membership Categories

Full Membership.  An individual who has shown noteworthy achievement as an original investigator in a field of pure or applied science is eligible for election to Full Membership.

• This noteworthy achievement must be evidenced by publication as the primary author (defined in the manner appropriate to the discipline) on at least two different articles published in a refereed journal, patents, or refereed monographs.
• Dissertations and theses alone are not considered sufficient for demonstration of this achievement and must be accompanied by at least two other publications.

Associate Membership.  An individual who has conducted independent investigation and written a report concerning their research is eligible for election to Associate Membership.

• This initial research achievement can be in a field of pure or applied science.
• Associate members may or may not qualify for promotion to Full Membership later, based on qualifications.

Promotion to Full Membership.  Associate Members may be promoted to Full Membership once they satisfy the Full Membership qualifications.

• Promotion review will follow the same procedure as the initial nomination.