There are three categories of membership in the Council:

Regular Membership

Available to any individual engaged in the administration of sponsored programs in a college or university, a teaching hospital or not for profit hospital, an independent not for profit research institute, or an organization wholly organized and administered by a college or university or a consortium of colleges and universities, or an association or society with individual or institutional members predominantly from colleges and universities.

Associate Membership

Available to any individual who is not qualified for Regular Membership, but whose activities are related to the administration of sponsored programs at colleges and universities.

Emeritus Membership

Available to any person who has been a Regular Member or Associate Member for five years prior to retirement. Those persons may, under the guidelines set forth in the Council's administrative policies and procedures, become an Emeritus Member or Emeritus.

Since membership in the Council is restricted to individuals, there may be any number of members from any institution or organization.

Membership in regional organizations is automatic with payment of National dues.

NCURA is proud to support the success and growth of research administrators through our Young Professionals Program, which will provide specialized professional development designed for the next generation of NCURA member research administration leaders. Our Young Professional members enjoy discounted membership dues, discounted national conference and workshop registrations, quarterly newsletters, free webinars, and more!

Take advantage of NCURA’s Apprentice membership program for the research administration apprentices working in your office. Combine their training program with access to NCURA’s membership resources to set them on a path to continue in the profession for years to come.

This membership type is welcomed to all who are in apprentice programs within their sponsored program research administration offices, providing an excellent opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the profession.

An individual currently working in an institution’s research administration apprentice program is eligible to apply for a one-year Apprentice Membership for only $59. Please contact Emily Ainsworth at ainsworth@ncura.edu with your supervisor’s confirmation of inclusion in the program to set up your account.

Understanding the importance of building a solid career path for research administrators, the association’s board of directors was unanimous in its concept that a graduate degree be easily accessible, and has supported this endeavor with feasibility and implementation grants for online masters degree programs.

NCURA continues its commitment to the professionalism of research administration, and now offers a special student affiliate program to give students, who are not yet working full time in the profession, an opportunity to benefit from the networking and resources NCURA has to offer at no cost for up to a 2 year period.

To be eligible, students cannot be employed full-time in the profession and must provide documentation of their student status.

Send all documents to  student@ncura.edu.

Please contact Emily Ainsworth at  ainsworth@ncura.edu  with any questions about the program.