Fellowship (FRSB)
Our most prestigious grade of RSB membership.
Fellows of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) have achieved distinction in the fields of biological research, teaching, or the application of biology.
RSB Fellows benefit from increased professional recognition through exclusive postnominal letters (FRSB) and are given the opportunity to get more involved in the Society's activities. Applicants need to demonstrate a distinctive and notable contribution to the advancement of the biological sciences and must have a minimum of five years' influential experience throughout their career.
Applications are welcome from all fields and backgrounds. If you would like to upgrade your membership to Fellowship, or are unsure of your eligibility, send a copy of your CV to membership@rsb.org.uk and we will be pleased to advise you.
If you are not quite at this level of experience yet you can join as a member (MRSB).
To apply for Fellowship, applicants need to provide:
- An application statement (750 words)
- A concise CV (maximum of two pages)
Applicants can include an optional publication list (200 words) of up to five publications, with an explanation as to why they demonstrate impact.
Applications can also be supported by providing details of two referees. These do not need to be RSB members but should be someone who can vouch for the applicant's professional standing.
The application statement will vary based on each applicant's experience, but some examples of notable contribution, distinction, and/or impact on the biosciences might include: leadership or strategic influence, outreach and communication, project management, innovative research and its outcomes, management or supervision experience, grants or funding received, budgetary responsibilities, or mentoring and career advice.
The concise CV, with dates, can include membership of other professional bodies, but these will not necessarily have a bearing on being awarded Fellowship of the RSB.
Applications are reviewed by the membership team and the Fellowship Committee. If your application is successful, you will be elected at the next election, held quarterly on the 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, and will be eligible to use the postnominal letters FRSB.
| Annual fee | £223 |
Plus a one-off £18 application fee*
*Non-refundable if applicant is not accepted for membership. Prospective Fellows are encouraged to contact membership@rsb.org.uk to discuss their eligibility.
A 50% discount is available if you are retired, on a career break, not in paid employment, or a student in full-time education.
Applicants who are members of, or staff at one of our Full Member Organisations are eligible for a 50% discount off the non-discounted rates shown above for their first two years of Fellowship. Please contact us if you are eligible.
Retired Fellows over 65 can apply for life Fellowship — paying a one-off fee and enjoying the benefits of Fellowship without the annual fees.
Discover our Honorary Fellows
Any questions about joining?
If you are ready to join, you can start your application now via our membership portal, myRSB. You will need to create an account if you have not done so before.
If you have any questions you can email our membership team or call +44 (0)20 3925 3441.
Discover other membership types