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Over the last 50 years, over 2,600 distinguished scientists have been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology (Academy). The Academy is the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), one of the largest life science societies in the world. The mission of the Academy is to recognize scientists for outstanding contributions to microbiology and provide microbiological expertise in the service of science and the public. It fulfills its mission by election to fellowship in the Academy, convening colloquia and oversight of ASM’s Awards Program. 

Academy News

• American Academy of Microbiology Announces 2025 Academy Leadership Election Results.
• American Academy of Microbiology Releases New Colloquium Report on Microbes Mediating Methane Emissions.
• American Academy of Microbiology Launches a Scientific Portfolio Focusing on Climate Change & Microbes.

The Academy manages the 91Â鶹¾«Æ·Awards and Prize program that offers a wide range of awards to recognize microbiologists for outstanding contributions to the microbial sciences. 

91Â鶹¾«Æ·Awards and Prize highlight individuals who have made significant contributions to advance the field. Recipients are awarded an honorarium and are invited to present and be recognized at the 91Â鶹¾«Æ·Microbe meeting. 91Â鶹¾«Æ·congratulates the 2026 91Â鶹¾«Æ·Award & Prize recipients for their achievements in research, education and leadership.

Election to Fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology

Each year, the American Academy of Microbiology (Academy) elects exceptional microbiologists to fellowship in the Academy. Academy fellows represent a wide variety of microbiology sectors, including research, education, public health, industry and government service. The governors of the Academy elect fellows from a pool of nominated candidates.
 
Nominees for fellowship must exhibit high ethical standards, scientific excellence, originality, scholarly and creative achievement and leadership. The Academy takes each of these selection criteria extremely seriously and will take appropriate measures to address any alleged or actual unethical behavior by Academy fellows.
 
91Â鶹¾«Æ·fosters a culture of equity and inclusion to achieve diversity in science. Specifically, 91Â鶹¾«Æ·seeks to create a culture where all individuals feel respected, are treated fairly and are provided opportunities to develop professionally and excel in their chosen career pathway.

Nominations for election to fellowship will open August 1 through October 1 each year. For questions or clarifications, please contact Academy@asmusa.org.

There are over 2,600 fellows in the Academy representing all subspecialties of the microbial sciences and involved in basic and applied research, teaching, public health, industry and government service. In addition, fellows hail from all around the globe.

91Â鶹¾«Æ·Microbe 2026 will take place June 4-7, in Washington, D.C. 91Â鶹¾«Æ·Microbe has evolved to give every scientist a more focused and connected experience through 3 unique communities that reflect the full breadth of the field. As the honorific leadership group within ASM, the Academy actively participates and contributes to this event. Join us for our Academy sponsored sessions including:

• Academy Fellows and Award Invited Reception. 
• Early Microbial Life—Panel on Leveraging Synthetic Biology to Explore the Origin of Complex Life.
• 91Â鶹¾«Æ·Awardee Sessions.

For the first time, 91Â鶹¾«Æ·is hosting 3 independent meetings under 1 roof and offering the most comprehensive access to cutting-edge research and experts driving discovery in your field. We hope to see you there!

 

Academy goverance consists of multiple leadership positions divided into the Academy Governors and the following 3 distinct subcommittees:

• Academy Leadership Nominating Subcommittee.
• Subcommittee on Awards.
• Subcommittee on Elections.
  View Academy Leaders

Each year, the Academy opens a call for volunteers for leadership positions to promote transparency, access and accountability in Academy leadership. The nomination period will open on July 1 through July 31. 

The Academy will play a strategic role as a think tank within 91Â鶹¾«Æ·to strengthen the scientific credential of the organization, align with 91Â鶹¾«Æ·programs and resources and contribute to efforts to advance the microbial sciences through the following strategic goals:

• Promote excellence in microbial sciences through concrete actions.
• Engage fellows in the role as mentors and educators.
• Deliver long term scientific impacts through the focused scientific portfolio(s).

The Governors of the Academy have established a dues structure that provides joint Academy and 91Â鶹¾«Æ·membership starting in membership year 2020. Please refer to the benefits breakdown below to decide which membership type is right for you.*

* Fellows who currently hold a lifetime or emeritus Academy membership and abide by the ASM’s code of ethics will continue receiving all of the Academy’s benefits.

Answers to commonly-asked questions are available. For inquiries not addressed by this FAQ, please email service@asmusa.org.

The crucial work of the Academy is possible, in part, through generous contributions from our donors. To support the Academy and its mission, please contribute to the American Academy of Microbiology. 
Donate to ASM

mBio^® is published in association with the American Academy of Microbiology. Academy fellows also are entitled to submit manuscripts via a special, accelerated submission path, with 1 published manuscript allowed per calendar year. Additionally, Academy fellows work with Editor in Chief Marvin Whiteley by serving as editors and reviewers for manuscripts submitted in their areas of expertise.