Applications are open to all IAU National Members to submit Honorary Members. Each National Member can propose one Honorary Member per General Assembly. The deadline for submission of candidates is 15 March 2024. If you have suggestions for a nomination from your country, you should contact your NCA.

Honorary Membership gives official recognition to individuals who have made significant contributions to the progress of astronomical research and culture in their country but do not qualify to be Individual Members. Honorary Members are exempted from choosing the affiliation to Divisions and do not have voting rights.

The application procedure consists of submitting two documents: 

• Curriculum Vitae of the proposed Honorary Member
• A letter signed by the NCA President (or equivalent) justifying the proposal (Motivation Letter for the proposed Honorary Member).

These documents should be emailed by the NCA to the IAU General Secretary with a copy to the IAU Membership Coordinator.

The timeline for this round of Honorary Membership applications is as follows:

• 15 March 2024: deadline for submission by the National Members of Honorary Member candidates.
• August 2024: accepted new IAU Honorary Members announced at the XXXII IAU General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa.

Honorary Membership was first introduced at the XXX IAU General Assembly, during which the first Honorary Members were announced. The next IAU Honorary Members to be admitted will be announced at the XXXII IAU General Assembly in August 2024. The selection and admission by the Executive Committee of new Honorary Members follows the advice of the standing Membership Committee.

The IAU is looking forward to receiving your submissions.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 12 000 active professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Links

• IAU Working Rules (see III.c.; 11. and 8.b)

Contacts

Lina Canas
IAU Membership Coordinator
Email: lina.canas@iap.fr / iauinfos@iap.fr  

Debra Elmegreen
IAU President
Email: elmegreen@vassar.edu 

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Director of Communications
Cell: +1 520 461 0433/+49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars.christensen@noirlab.edu