Becoming a Member

Membership of the Academy is the highest academic honour in Ireland. Every year up to 28 new members can be elected from the three membership streams.

RIA members scrolls with red ribbon and name tags

Membership

Up to 20 members are elected on 16 March each year, following a rigorous, peer-review selection procedure. Up to ten members are elected in Science subjects, and up to ten in Humanities and Social Sciences (known as PL&A).

Honorary Membership

A small number of Honorary Members are elected each year. The distinction of Honorary Membership is usually reserved for academics who have made a major international contribution to their disciplines but who are not normally resident in Ireland.

black figurative membership symbol on a tan brown background

Council Recommended Membership

Each year, the Council of the Academy can recommend a small number of 'persons of distinction', who have made an exceptional contribution to Irish society and whose election would, in the opinion of Council, be of benefit to the Academy.