American Association of Anatomists Membership Budget Seniors, March 13, 2026March 13, 2026 🔬 Advancing Anatomical Science Since 1888 A complete guide to joining AAA — the international professional home for anatomists, educators, and biomedical scientists worldwide. Also covers the American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA), the specialty society for clinically-focused anatomy. 📌 Note: AAA was formerly known as the American Association of Anatomists (renamed 2019). The AACA is a separate, related society for clinical anatomists. 2,000+ AAA members in 67 countries 1888 Year founded — one of the oldest anatomy societies 1 in 10 Members receive an award, grant, or scholarship each year $650K+ In annual awards, grants & scholarships (AAA) 🏛️ AAAAmer. Assoc. for Anatomy ⚕️ AACAClinical Anatomists 🎯 Benefits & Journals ✅ How to Join & FAQ 🏛️ What Is the American Association for Anatomy (AAA)? The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) is the world’s leading international scientific society for the anatomical sciences. Founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C. as the Association of American Anatomists, it was renamed in 2019 to reflect the modern, interdisciplinary reach of anatomy. Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, AAA serves more than 2,000 members in 67 countries. 🌐 Who Belongs to AAA? AAA members are remarkably diverse — gross anatomists, neuroscientists, developmental biologists, physical anthropologists, cell biologists, physical therapists, biomedical engineers, scientific illustrators, veterinarians, paleontologists, forensic scientists, zoologists, and more. If you work with the structure of living things at any scale, AAA is your professional home. 🏆 A 135+ Year Legacy Organized at Georgetown University on September 17, 1888, AAA has been at the center of anatomical science for over 135 years. Its journal The Anatomical Record — founded in 1906 — is one of the oldest continuously published scientific journals in anatomy. In 2019, the name change from “Anatomists” to “for Anatomy” signaled the association’s commitment to the full, interdisciplinary breadth of the field. 💳 AAA Membership Categories ⚠️ Dues Pricing Requires Account Login AAA does not publicly display exact dollar membership dues on their website — pricing is available after creating a free account at anatomy.org. Contact the AAA membership team directly for current rates: [email protected] (Liz Phares, Membership). The categories and their benefits are confirmed from official sources below. Full Member Professional Membership The most inclusive tier. Open to faculty, staff, clinicians, technicians, and all professionals in anatomy-related fields. Full access to all AAA benefits. All three journals (electronic) Funding & award eligibility Publishing rights in AAA journals Voting & leadership roles Anatomy Network access Members-only meeting pricing Early Career PostDoc Membership For researchers who completed their doctoral degree and are in a postdoctoral position. Tailored resources for transitioning to independent research careers. Career development resources Mentoring program access Networking events Research showcase opportunities Travel award eligibility ($350) Competition award eligibility Students Student Membership Open to undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in anatomy-related programs. Access to scholarships, travel grants, and exclusive learning resources. Scholarship & travel grant access Mentoring opportunities Committee participation Travel award eligibility ($350) Competition award eligibility Members-only meeting pricing Retired / Emeritus Retired Member For individuals who have retired from an academic or professional position and hold Emeritus status with AAA. Special registration category at the annual Anatomy Connected meeting. Emeritus registration category at annual meeting Journal access maintained Network & community access Contact AAA for current dues Affiliate HAPS Affiliate Discounted membership for current members of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS). Includes website access, educational resources, e-news, and electronic access to Anatomical Sciences Education. HAPS members only Electronic journal access (ASE) Educational resources Not eligible to vote Corporate Industry Membership For companies, organizations, and institutions that serve the anatomy community. Includes branding, advertising, and exhibitor discounts. $1,295/year (billed annually) Up to 5 employee logins E-newsletter company profile Exhibitor discounts at events Must be approved by Executive Committee No Anatomy Network, voting, or awards 📅 Billing & Renewal Rules (All AAA Tiers) Calendar year basis: Dues cover January 1 – December 31 Renewal deadline: December 31 each year Q1 (Jan–Mar) joiners: Pay full dues Q2–Q3 (Apr–Sep) joiners: Prorated rate based on remaining months Q4 (Oct–Dec) joiners: Full rate, applied through December 31 of the following year Multi-year option: Pay multiple years upfront for convenience Low-income rate: Reduced dues for members in World Bank-classified low-income countries — contact Membership for details Group / institutional rate: 15% discount for departments with 6+ qualifying members; 20% for certain qualifying groups — contact Liz Phares 🎓 Anatomy Connected — Annual Meeting The AAA Annual Meeting, called Anatomy Connected, is the largest gathering of anatomical scientists in the world — drawing over 1,000 researchers, educators, and students annually. Beginning in 2023, it became a stand-alone conference (previously held as part of the larger Experimental Biology multi-society meeting). 📍 Next Meeting: Albuquerque, New Mexico Anatomy Connected takes place April 17–20 at the Albuquerque Convention Center, featuring 100+ speakers, 480+ poster presentations, symposia, workshops, keynote lectures, Lunch & Learns, and a welcome reception. 🎯 What to Expect Platform & poster presentations Symposia & keynote lectures Pre-conference workshops (extra fee) SciComm Boot Camp (2-day professional development) Networking & welcome reception Exhibitor hall 📋 Registration Categories Professional (member & non-member rates) Retired / Emeritus PostDoc Graduate & Medical Students Undergraduate Students High School Students (with chaperone) 📌 Refund & Cancellation Policy Full refunds (minus $25 processing fee) if cancelled by the posted deadline. After the deadline, no refunds — but substitutions are allowed at any time at no charge. No-shows and onsite registrations are non-refundable. Check anatomy.org/AnnualMeeting for current deadlines. ⚕️ American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA) The AACA is a separate organization from AAA, focused specifically on clinically-oriented anatomy — where anatomical scholarship intersects directly with medical practice, surgery, and clinical education. Founded to support and advance “anatomically and clinically-based scholarship,” the AACA has members from over 30 countries and publishes the journal Clinical Anatomy (Wiley-Liss). 📅 AACA Annual Meeting — Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN The 43rd Annual Meeting of the AACA will be held at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, June 12–15. The meeting features early bird, regular, and member-discounted registration rates. AACA members receive a discounted conference registration. Headquarters: PO Box 2945, LaGrange, GA 30241 | Phone: 706-298-0287 AACA Annual Membership Dues (Published on clinical-anatomy.org) Member Category Electronic Journal Print Journal No Journal Regular Member $150/yr $195/yr — Student / Postdoc / Resident $50/yr $195/yr — Emeritus (65+, 5-yr member)* $100/yr $195/yr $0/yr Affiliated Member** $100/yr $195/yr — *Must be 65 years of age or older AND have been an AACA member for at least 5 years to qualify for Emeritus rate. **For BACA, ASSA, or ANZACA members who already subscribe to Clinical Anatomy. **65+ and no longer employed full-time. ✅ Great News for Senior Members (65+) If you are 65 or older and have been an AACA member for at least 5 years, you qualify for Emeritus status. Emeritus members pay only $100/year for electronic journal access — or choose $0/year with no journal access. The print journal option remains $195 for all categories. How to Join AACA Complete the electronic application — The AACA only accepts membership applications in electronic format. Access the form at clinical-anatomy.org/join. Application review — For Regular membership, the Membership Committee may request your current CV and may contact your listed reference. The committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. Approval & notification — The Membership Committee Chair contacts you by email with your status. Approved members are formally ratified at the next Council meeting (October interim or July annual). Journal subscription begins — Upon approval, your subscription to Clinical Anatomy (Wiley-Liss) is automatically entered based on your chosen tier. Pay dues — Pay online by credit card via the AACA member dues form or secure PayPal interface. Check payments require an invoice — email Kendra Tyner at [email protected]. US cardholders: after checkout, select “Pay with a Debit/Credit card” through PayPal. ⏰ Important: Late Dues Can Delay Your Journal If you wait 4–5 months past the due date to pay, you will not begin receiving your journal again until payment clears and your information is sent in the monthly update to Wiley. All back issues owed will arrive together in a single mailing. 📬 AACA Contact Information Headquarters: PO Box 2945, LaGrange, GA 30241 Phone: 706-298-0287 | Fax: 706-883-8215 Membership Chair: Thomas Gest — [email protected] Treasurer: Dr. Anthony D’Antoni — for status changes (retired, faculty appointment, etc.) Dues / Invoices: Kendra Tyner — [email protected] 📧 Whitelist AACA Email Domains To ensure you receive renewal emails, receipts, and conference communications, ask your IT department to whitelist: clinical-anatomy.org, starchapterhost.com, and starchaptermailhost.com. Also add [email protected] to your contacts. 📚 Three World-Class Journals (AAA) AAA members receive electronic access to all three of the association’s peer-reviewed journals, published in partnership with Wiley. These journals cover the full breadth of modern anatomical science — from molecules to organisms, from education to clinical application. Impact Factor 2.0 The Anatomical Record Founded 1906 — one of the oldest anatomy journals in existence. Focuses on experimental and comparative studies of structure-function relationships in cells, tissues, and organisms. Publishes monthly. Covers molecular, cellular, developmental, evolutionary, and systems biology. Impact Factor 5.2 Anatomical Sciences Education Founded 2008. International forum for excellence in anatomy teaching and learning. Publishes original research, reviews, and commentaries on educational methods, curriculum development, and assessment strategies. Publishes bi-monthly. Hybrid open access. Impact Factor 2.0 Developmental Dynamics Originally launched 1901. International forum for developmental biologists studying the emergence of form during development and the mechanisms controlling morphogenesis. Covers molecular, cellular, and genetic mechanisms. Open access publishing option available. ✍️ Publishing Benefits for Members AAA members can share their research and find new collaborators by publishing in all three journals. Members benefit from reduced submission processing and enhanced visibility within the global anatomy community. Contact individual journal editorial boards for current author guidelines. 🏆 Awards, Grants & Scholarships 🎯 One of the Broadest Awards Programs in the Field AAA’s awards program distributes over $650,000 in awards, research grants, and scholarships annually. Remarkably, one in every ten AAA members receives an award, scholarship, or grant each year — an extraordinary recognition rate for any professional society. Award / GrantDescriptionAmount Henry Gray Scientific Achievement AwardAAA’s top science honor — sustained career excellence in anatomical researchVaries A.J. Ladman Exemplary Service AwardExceptional service to the Association and/or mentorship in the disciplineVaries R.R. Bensley Award in Cell BiologyEarly-career excellence in cell/molecular biology researchVaries H.W. Mossman Award in Developmental BiologyEarly-career excellence in developmental biologyVaries C.J. Herrick Award — Comparative NeuroanatomyOutstanding early-career neuroanatomy researchVaries W.M. Cobb Award in Morphological SciencesEarly-career achievement in morphological sciencesVaries Early-Career Publication AwardBest publication by an early-career anatomist in each of the 3 AAA journalsVaries Excellence in Teaching AwardAAA’s highest education award for human anatomy educationVaries Excellence in Mentoring AwardSustained career commitment to guiding and supporting othersVaries Excellence in DEI AwardOutstanding contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in anatomyVaries Student/Postdoc Travel AwardHelps students & postdocs attend Anatomy Connected annual meeting$350 Early Career Faculty Travel AwardCompetitive award for early-career faculty (5 awards per year)$1,000 ($500 honorarium + $500 travel) Anatomy Scholars Program (ASP)Supports early-stage faculty facing hardships or barriers in academiaVaries Predoctoral & Postdoctoral FellowshipsResearch fellowship support for doctoral and postdoctoral trainingVaries Unfunded Grant SupportSupports applicants whose proposals were submitted but not funded by national/intl agenciesVaries 🥇 Fellow of the American Association for Anatomy (FAAA) The highest individual distinction conferred by AAA. Awarded to distinguished members who have demonstrated excellence in science and outstanding contributions to the anatomical sciences over the course of their career. Elected by the membership. 🌐 Community, Tools & Advocacy Benefits 💬 Anatomy Network AAA’s online members-only community where you can share teaching approaches, compare research techniques, find solutions to common problems, and connect with colleagues worldwide. Available to all member categories except Industry. 🔬 Virtual Microscopy Database (VMD) A centralized repository of virtual tissue slides for anatomy and histology education, research, and scholarship. Community-contributed and freely available to enhance teaching at all levels. 🎬 Virtual Dissection Database (VDD) A digital library of dissection videos, cadaveric images, surface anatomy resources, and clinical teaching materials. A valuable resource for anatomy educators who teach remotely or in hybrid formats. 🎤 SciComm Boot Camp An annual two-day professional development workshop bridging the gap between scientists and the public, policymakers, students, and other audiences. Uses improv-based activities to build storytelling, communication, and public engagement skills. 📋 Webinars & Career Resources Members receive access to webinars that address gaps in graduate education and research training, career development resources, mentoring programs, and committee and task force volunteer opportunities. 🏛️ Policy Advocacy As a member of FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) and AAMC CFAS (Council of Faculty and Academic Societies), AAA actively advocates with Congress and scientific bodies for the interests of biomedical and life scientists. Members receive policy updates and can participate in advocacy efforts. 📰 Anatomy Now — Monthly E-Newsletter All members receive AAA’s monthly e-newsletter covering public policy updates, career advice, member highlights, research news, upcoming events, and advocacy alerts. Industry members are featured in the newsletter when they join. ✅ How to Join AAA — Step by Step Visit anatomy.org and click “Join Now.” Create a free account using your professional email address. Select your membership category (Professional, PostDoc, Student, HAPS Affiliate, or Industry). Select your membership tier. If joining Q2–Q3, you’ll receive a prorated rate. Joining in Q4 applies your dues through December 31 of the following year — a good value if you join in October–December. Confirm your journal access preferences. Professional members receive electronic access to all three AAA journals. Confirm any add-ons (e.g., SCGDB society add-on at checkout). Pay your dues. Payment is made online by credit/debit card. Multi-year payments are accepted. For group/institutional enrollment, contact Liz Phares ([email protected]) for a single invoice covering your department. Access your member benefits. Log in to anatomy.org to access Anatomy Network, journal links, the Virtual Microscopy Database, Virtual Dissection Database, webinar archives, and award/grant applications. Mark renewal on your calendar. Dues renew December 31 each year. Set a reminder for November to renew before year-end and avoid any lapse in journal access or award eligibility. 💡 Smart Joining Tips Join in Q4 (Oct–Dec): Your dues apply through December 31 of the following year — effectively 13–15 months for the price of one year. Ask about group rates: If your department has 6+ qualifying members, you get a 15–20% discount with a single invoice. Contact Liz Phares. Check HAPS affiliation: If you’re a HAPS member, the discounted HAPS Affiliate category gives you journal and resource access at a lower rate. Apply for awards immediately: Travel award and competition award deadlines fall in December–January — apply in your first year of membership. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between AAA and AACA? The AAA (American Association for Anatomy) is the broader international society covering all anatomical sciences — research, education, and all disciplines. The AACA (American Association of Clinical Anatomists) is a more specialized society focused on clinically-oriented anatomy — where anatomy directly intersects with medical practice, surgical education, and clinical sciences. Many anatomy professionals belong to both. AAA was formerly called the American Association of Anatomists (changed to current name in 2019). Is there a senior or retired member discount? Both organizations accommodate retired members. At AAA, there is a dedicated Retired/Emeritus registration category for the annual meeting — contact AAA directly for current dues rates for retired members ([email protected]). At AACA, members aged 65 or older who have been members for at least 5 years qualify for Emeritus status: $100/year for electronic journal access, or $0/year with no journal. This is a meaningful benefit for long-standing senior clinical anatomists. Do I get access to the journals as part of my membership? Yes. AAA Professional, PostDoc, and Student members receive electronic access to all three AAA journals: The Anatomical Record, Developmental Dynamics, and Anatomical Sciences Education. HAPS Affiliate members receive access to Anatomical Sciences Education only. AACA members receive access to Clinical Anatomy (Wiley-Liss) — the journal tier and format (electronic vs. print) depends on which dues level you select. When are dues due, and what happens if I’m late? AAA dues are due by December 31 each year. Lapsed members lose access to member-only benefits, award eligibility, and discounted meeting registration. For AACA, late dues of 4–5 months can result in a gap in your journal delivery — back issues will arrive together once your payment clears and your information is sent to Wiley in the monthly update. Can I join AAA if I’m outside the United States? Absolutely. AAA is an international society with over 2,000 members in 67 countries. A reduced dues rate is available for members living in countries classified as Low Income by the World Bank. Contact the AAA Membership team ([email protected]) to request the reduced rate. What is the FAAA Fellowship and how do I apply? The FAAA (Fellow of the American Association for Anatomy) is AAA’s highest individual distinction, awarded to members who have demonstrated sustained excellence in anatomical science and made outstanding contributions to the field. Fellowship is by election — nominated by peers and approved by the membership. If you are considering Fellowship, speak with a current FAAA member or contact AAA directly for nomination procedures and timing. How do I apply for AAA travel awards and grants? Award applications are submitted through AAA’s Awards Application Portal at anatomy.org. For travel awards, you must first submit an abstract by the December 15 deadline, then apply for the travel award by the January deadline (typically January 12). Your membership must be current for the award year at the time of application. Award eligibility varies by category — check the specific award page for requirements. Can a whole department join together and save money? Yes. AAA’s institutional and departmental group rate covers departments with 6 or more qualifying members. Groups receive a 15% (or higher, up to 20% in some qualifying programs) discount on individual dues, billed together on a single invoice for administrative convenience. Each member gets their own individual login for full access to all member benefits. Contact Liz Phares at [email protected] to set up group enrollment. 🔗 Official Links & Resources 🏛️ Join AAAanatomy.org — Membership categories ⚕️ Join AACAclinical-anatomy.org/join 💵 AACA Annual Duesclinical-anatomy.org/dues 🎓 Anatomy Connected Meetinganatomy.org — Annual meeting info 🏆 AAA Awards & Deadlinesanatomy.org — Full awards program 🏫 AAA Group / Institutional Rates15–20% discount for departments 📖 AAA Journals (Wiley)Browse & submit to all 3 journals 🌐 AACA Homepageclinical-anatomy.org Sources & Methodology AAA official pages: anatomy.org (membership, awards, meetings, journals, industry, group rates — all confirmed March 2026). | AACA official dues: clinical-anatomy.org/dues (Regular $150 electronic/$195 print; Emeritus 65+ 5-yr: $100 electronic/$0 no journal/$195 print; Student/Postdoc/Resident: $50 electronic; © 2026 AACA confirmed). | Wikipedia: American Association for Anatomy (Feb 1, 2026) — history, name change 2019, journal impact factors (ASE 5.2, AR 2.0, DD 2.0). | EurekAlert!/AAA press release (Feb 2024): “$650,000+ in awards, grants & scholarships annually”; “1 in 10 members receives an award”; 2,455 members. | EurekAlert!/AAA (2025): Henry Gray Award, FAAA Fellowship, award recipients. | AAA awards page: Student/Postdoc Travel Award $350; Early Career Faculty Award 5×$1,000. | AAA Industry page: $1,295/yr. | AAA Registration 2026: Anatomy Connected, April 17–20, Albuquerque NM; Emeritus category; refund cut-off confirmed. | Group rates: 15% min 6 members; 20% qualifying groups. | Dues billing: calendar year; Q4 joining extends to following Dec 31; World Bank low-income rate available. | All information is for guidance only. Verify current dues and benefits directly with AAA (anatomy.org) and AACA (clinical-anatomy.org). Recommended Reads Equinox Membership LA Fitness Membership BJ’s Wholesale Club Membership 10 Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors YMCA Membership 9 Best Business Credit Cards Without a Social Security Number Walmart Plus Membership Social Security Denial Attorney Blog