Why Join the ACA? Your Science. Your Community. Your ACA.

The ACA brings together researchers, educators, and professionals from across the structural sciences—from small-molecule crystallography and structural biology to materials science, powder diffraction, cryo-EM, computation, and data science.

What makes ACA unique is its interdisciplinary community. Rather than focusing on a single technique or discipline, ACA connects scientists across specialties, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, build collaborations, and advance structural science together.

Whether you're a student, early-career scientist, or established professional, ACA offers a place to connect, contribute, and grow.

What ACA Membership Offers
	A Broader Scientific Network	Connect with researchers, educators, and professionals across academia, industry, and national laboratories. Build meaningful relationships, discover new perspectives, and explore opportunities for collaboration beyond your own specialty.
	Scientific Exchange & Collaboration	Expand your knowledge through interdisciplinary scientific meetings, workshops, and professional activities. Explore emerging techniques, share research, and engage with colleagues working across the structural sciences.
	Annual Meeting Benefits	Enjoy discounted member registration rates and receive advance information about ACA Annual Meetings, workshops, and other eligible activities. Connect with colleagues, present research, and discover developments across structural science.
	Travel Funding Opportunities	Apply for ACA travel awards that help eligible members, particularly students and early-career scientists, attend the ACA Annual Meeting. These opportunities support scientific participation, professional development, and connections within the community.
	Professional Recognition	Celebrate scientific excellence, leadership, and service through ACA's awards and honors programs. Members may be eligible for recognition at various career stages, including early-career awards and the prestigious ACA Fellows Program.
	Member Publications	Stay connected through RefleXions, ACA's member newsletter, featuring scientific highlights, community news, and professional opportunities. Members also receive a complimentary subscription to Physics Today, offering perspectives and developments from across the physical sciences.
	Special Interest Groups (SIGs)	Connect with colleagues who share your scientific interests through ACA's Special Interest Groups. Participate in focused discussions, contribute to scientific programming, explore leadership opportunities, and help shape your specialty within ACA's broader interdisciplinary community.
	Members-Only Directory & Privacy	Connect with fellow ACA members through our secure, members-only online directory, designed to support professional networking and collaboration while respecting member privacy. Directory access is restricted to eligible members, and members can manage their profile information and available privacy settings to control what information is visible to others.
	Outreach & Engagement	Help inspire the next generation of scientists through ACA outreach and educational initiatives. Share your expertise, engage with students and educators, and contribute to efforts that increase awareness and understanding of structural science.
	Connections Beyond ACA	Expand your professional reach through ACA's relationships with peer scientific societies, industry partners, and the broader scientific community. These connections create additional opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, professional engagement, and interdisciplinary exchange.