Become a Member

IAU institutional Membership is open to institutions whose main objective is higher education and the development of knowledge. Applying universities and other higher education institutions must:

• be public or private not-for-profit;

• be degree-conferring institutions;

• be recognized by their own national competent body/bodies or its equivalent;

• have undergone, at the national or regional level, a process of quality assurance or accreditation, or, if such a process does not exist, be a Member of a national or regional association of universities;

• be dedicated to the study of several branches of knowledge;

• grant at least a three-year, first cycle or undergraduate degree;

• have graduated at least three cohorts of students*;

• Conduct research activities implying an active participation of the staff in scientific or scholarly research as well as necessary equipment at their disposal.

*In order to allow newly established higher education institutions to engage in the work of IAU and benefit from the services offered, universities and other HEIs having graduated at least one cohort of students may be granted Observer status until they fulfill the criterion of having graduated three cohorts, at which time they may become a full Member.

The IAU is funded primarily through its Membership fees and depends on these funds to effectively carry out its activities, including its online webinar series and thematic debates, events and conferences, publications, projects and other initiatives. Members’ strong engagement, commitment, and financial contributions are vital for the association. It is thanks to its Members’ commitment that the IAU exists and continues to act as the global voice of higher education.

Institutional Membership fees are determined by a combination of the country’s income level and the number of students. Membership fees range from €1,100 to €3,800. Please contact the Secretariat for further information regarding membership fees.

Download the institutional Membership application form here.

All associations or networks of universities and higher education institutions that bring together the leaders and other representatives of institutions or higher learning and/or research are eligible to apply of Membership. Associations of universities and other higher education institutions at national, sub-national, regional or international level may be admitted as Member Organizations.

Fees for Organizations are based on a combination of the Gross National Product (GNP) of the country where the Organization’s headquarters are situated and student enrollment of its largest institutional member (list of countries per category). The financial year at IAU runs from 1 October to 30 September.

IAU is funded primarily through its Membership fees and depends on these funds to effectively carry out its activities, including its online webinar series and thematic debates, events and conferences, publications, projects and other initiatives.

The Members’ strong engagement, commitment, and financial contributions are vital for the association. It is thanks to its Members’ commitment that the IAU exists and continues to act as the global voice of higher education.

Organisational Membership fees are determined by a combination of the country’s income level and the number of students (or the size of the largest member institution for networks). Please contact the Secretariat for further information regarding membership fees.

Download the Organisational Membership Application Form here.

The IAU Affiliate status is open to all non-governmental organizations and networks, national or international in nature, whose primary mandate is directly related to the mission and work of the IAU but which are not eligible to join the Association as a full Member. Applications eligible for Institutional or Organizational Membership cannot be considered for Affiliate Status.

IAU is funded primarily through its Membership fees and depends on these funds to effectively carry out its activities, including its online webinar series and thematic debates, events and conferences, publications, projects and other initiatives.

The Members’ strong engagement, commitment, and financial contributions are vital for the association. It is thanks to its Members’ commitment that the IAU exists and continues to act as the global voice of higher education.

Annual Membership Fees: 800 euros per year. The financial year runs from 1 October to 30 September.

Download the Affiliate Membership Application Form here.

IAU Associates are well-known and respected leaders and experts in higher education who share IAU’s goals and values, and wish to enhance their personal collaboration with the Association. Connected to the information dissemination programme, Associates attend conferences and participate in IAU projects.

Annual Associate Fees: 150 euros per year. The financial year runs from 1 October to 30 September.

Application Process: The associate status is only open to individuals who have been personally invited to apply by IAU.