ASTC Membership
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is dedicated to increasing the understanding of and engagement with science and technology among all people.
ASTC offers two types of institutional memberships: Allied membership and Science Center and Museum (SCM) memberships.
Allied memberships are for independent consultants, organizations that do not operate science centers or museums, and new and emerging science centers.
SCM members have a physical location that is open to the public.
Join ASTC to expand your capacity, deepen connections, amplify the value of your work, and receive valuable benefits to:
- Connection with a network of 600+ member institutions and thousands of science engagement professionals worldwide
- Member-only webinars, events, and publications including Dimensions, ASTC’s online resource library for articles and case studies
- Communities of Practice that connect like-minded professionals to dive deep on shared issues
- SCM members can join the Passport Program, ASTC’s reciprocal admission program, for added value to their memberships and visitor experience
- Discounts to ASTC’s Annual Conference, a learning and networking event that serves 1500+ science engagement professionals each year
- Discounts on services and advertising, including ASTC’s Job Bank
- Access to member-only research, resources, and toolkits
- Access to ASTC’s signature Annual Statistics Survey reports, the largest data collection effort specific to science engagement institutions
- Eligibility for funding and grants (between October 2023 and September 2024, ASTC provided over $1.05M in grant funding to more than 150 member institutions.
- Alerts on public- and private-sector funding and other opportunities relevant to our field.
- Participation in regional, national, and international networks to strengthen practice and co-develop resources
- Eligibility to join the ASTC Board, Committees, and other professional working groups
- Eligibility for ASTC’s fellowship and scholarship programs
- Participation in ASTC’s advocacy campaigns and access to effective, targeted resources and insights
Want more information about specific benefits targeted to your type of institution? Download a one-pager for:
- Allied members
- SCM members
- Natural History museums
- Small museums (>$1M annual operating revenue)
- Universities and research centers
- Emerging science centers and museums
Do you need more information to make the case for ASTC membership to your Board or other leadership? Contact membership@astc.org for further information and resources.
Membership Dues
ASTC memberships for Allied Members run for 12 months from the quarter of joining. Allied Members receive a renewal invoice based on the expiration date of the membership.
Allied membership dues are assessed based on organization type, which correspond to one of the three membership categories:
- Independent Consultant
- For-profit
- Non-profit*
*For organizations under the non-profit category, dues are assessed based on the organization’s annual operating revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year. For the purpose of membership dues, ASTC defines annual operating revenue as: all earned revenue including gross revenue from all museum operations, film, and exhibit rentals; all private and public (government) support, all restricted and unrestricted grants, and all interest and endowment income.
ASTC membership terms for Allied members run for 12 months, with a start date determined by the quarter in which the organization joins ASTC.
Membership dues are in U.S. Dollars (USD).
| Allied Member Type | 2026 Annual Dues (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Independent Consultant | $460 |
| Non-profit: Less than $1 million | $560 |
| Non-profit: $1 million or more | $1,120 |
| For-profit | $1,120 |
| Supporter | $5,100 |
| Join Month | Membership Term |
|---|---|
| January, February, March | February 1 – January 31 |
| April, May, June | May 1 – April 30 |
| July, August, September | August 1 – July 31 |
| October, November, December | November 1 – October 31 |
Science Center and Museum Application
Membership Dues
ASTC membership terms for Science Center and Museum members run from January 1 through December 31.
Dues are assessed based on an institution’s annual operating revenue* from the most recently completed fiscal year. For institutions joining ASTC after March, annual dues are prorated.
| Annual Operating Revenue (in USD) | 2026 Annual Dues (in USD) |
|---|---|
| Less than $250,000 | $510 |
| $250,000 – $500,000 | $660 |
| $500,000 – $1 million | $1,060 |
| $1 million – $2 million | $1,410 |
| $2 million – $3 million | $1,500 |
| $3 million – $5 million | $2,980 |
| $5 million – $10 million | $4,570 |
| $10 million – $15 million | $5,480 |
| $15 million – $20 million | $6,280 |
| $20 million or more | $8,560 |