* Within 5 years of the date on your PhD certificate or equivalent. Eight years, in case of documented significant career interruption (e.g. parental leave; carer’s responsibility; illness; National Service; or non-research employment. No additional time allowance will be made for part-time employment.
Grow your network
- Reach a global audience of academics, policymakers and practitioners at RSA events and through our publications
- Access on-demand expert presentations through the RSA Webinar series, including the Regions, Cities and Industry webinars
- Connect with RSA-funded Research Networks, Territorial Networks, the Women’s Network, and the Student and Early Career Network
- Subscribe to the monthly eBulletin for RSA news and deadlines
Fund your research
- Up to £11,000 in Early Career Research Grant funding
- Up to £11,000 in renewable Research Network funding, to organise events around a question in your field
- Up to £16,500 in Policy Expo Grant funding, to connect your work with policy needs and wider communities
- Up to £8,250 in Fellowship Research Grant funding (FeRSA)
- Up to £1,000 in Start-Up funding for members in Band C or D
- Up to £550 in Travel Grants towards costs of attending an RSA or non-RSA event
- A free conference place through the Conference Bursary scheme
Publish and read
- Annual online subscriptions to Regional Studies, Spatial Economic Analysis, Territory, Politics, Governance, Area Development and Policy, and Finance and Space
- Full access to Regional Studies, Regional Science (open access)
- Policy Impact books, online and in print
- Publish your work in Regions or on the RSA Blog
- Discounted or included access to 23 further subject-related e-journals
I joined the Early Career program of the Regional Studies Association (RSA) in 2023. This invaluable opportunity has enabled me to connect with numerous scholars through the annual conference and other events. Becoming a member significantly broadens your research network.
Currently, I am authoring a paper for Regional Studies, Regional Science with the support of an excellent mentor assigned to me by the RSA. The program offers far more than expected—it truly empowers early career researchers to achieve their goals and grow within the academic community.
Early Career Member Laura Norris describes how her research is helped by her RSA Membership
Early Career member and Annual Conference Bursary winner, Maria Rastvorova describes what she enjoys about her RSA Membership
Opportunities & Development
- Apply for the RSA Routledge Early Career Award for £500 and a certificate
- Present your work and network at Student and Early Career events
- Use the post-nominal MeRSA or FeRSA after your name
- Apply to be an RSA Early Career Plenary Speaker at an RSA Conference
- Apply for the Early Career representative post on the RSA board
- Apply to edit an RSA journal, the RSA Blog, or Regions
Member Discounts
- Discounted member rates at RSA conferences
- 20% off the Article Processing Charge (APC) when publishing open access in Regional Studies, Regional Science
- Full APC waiver when publishing through the mentored Student and Early Career Paper Section of Regional Studies, Regional Science (if accepted into the mentored programme)
- 30% off the RSA’s own Regions and Cities book series
- 30–35% off books from Taylor & Francis/Routledge, Edward Elgar, Wiley and Policy Press
2026 Membership Fees
New Members
Renewing Members
Find your band
Fees and how to join
Membership fees are for one year on a rolling basis (this means your membership will expire a full year from when you join). Membership is open to all.
Fees are based on career stage and country band. Country band is determined by your current place of residence.
- Renewing members receive a 10% discount
- Multi-year payment is available, combining the renewal discount with the current year’s rate. Email Alex for information.
- UK members can sign up for Direct Debit. Email Alex for information.
Online payments by credit or debit cards are made in Sterling and we can provide an invoice for bank transfer payments.
If you have any membership queries please contact us on +44 (0)1273 698 017 or e-mail membership@regionalstudies.org.
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