Fellowship is the most prestigious grade of RSB membership

Fellows of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) have achieved distinction in the fields of biological research, teaching or the application of biology.

RSB Fellows benefit from increased professional recognition through exclusive post nominal letters (FRSB) and are given the opportunity to get more involved in the organisation's activity.

Joining is a straightforward process, with a quick application form and applicants do not need to nominated by RSB members. Membership elections are held quarterly in January, April, July and October.

Eligibility

Fellowship applications are welcome from all fields of work and the broad criteria used are reflective of the diversity of the biosciences.

Applicants need to demonstrate a distinctive and notable contribution to the advancement of the biological sciences and must have a minimum of five years' influential experience throughout their career.

Application process

To apply for Fellowship, you will need to provide:

• An application statement – examples of your influential experience in 750 words
• A CV – a maximum of two pages

Applicants can also include a publication list will full citations containing up to five publications, with an explanation (200 word limit) as to why they demonstrate impact.

Applications are reviewed by the membership team and Fellowship Committee, who particularly look for examples of the applicant’s impact on the biosciences. Further details are in our application guidelines.

If you would like to upgrade to Fellowship or are unsure of your eligibility, send a copy of your CV to Karen Patel CBiol MRSB, head of membership, at membership@rsb.org.uk and we will be pleased to advise you.

Membership fees

Annual Fellowship fee = £223

Plus a one off £18 application fee*

A 50% discount is available if you are retired, on a career break, not in paid employment, or a student in full-time education.

Applicants who are members of, or staff at one of our Full Member Organisations or at a Heads of University Biosciences (HUBS) institution are eligible for a 50% discount off the non-discounted rates shown above for their first two years of Fellowship - please contact us for further details.

*Non-refundable if applicant is not accepted for membership. Prospective Fellows are encouraged to contact membership@rsb.org.uk to discuss their eligibility.

Join our community

Start your application to join us via our member's portal, mySociety.

Life Fellowship

Retired Fellows can take up life Fellowship. Life Fellows are able to take advantage of the benefits of being a Fellow without paying annually. As a life Fellow, you will be making a lifelong contribution to the advancement of the biological sciences for the benefit of all.

Life Fellowship fee = £1,115 (aged 65+)

Current members of the RSB can take advantage of a 10% discount on our life membership fees if they have been a member for 10 or more years, and a 20% discount on our life membership fees if they have been a member for 20 or more years. Please contact us if you would like to become a life Fellow.

Our network

The RSB welcomes membership applications from everyone irrespective of age*, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Eligibility and the awarding of membership is assessed against the RSB’s membership criteria.

The RSB is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in the life sciences, and supports diversity throughout the sector; at school and higher education, in the workplace and training.

Membership is not available to anyone under the age of 14. School or college students aged 14 to 19 can apply to become BioNet members of the RSB.