Faculty, staff, and trainees across the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) have access to a valuable professional resource through membership in the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS). ACTS represents a broad scientific community of more than 6,000 clinical and translational research professionals and connects faculty, trainees, research professionals, and community members to education, collaboration, and leadership opportunities that strengthen the translational science enterprise and support improved human health.

Institutional vs. Individual ACTS Membership

ACTS offers both institutional and individual memberships. Institutional membership allows an organization to provide memberships to faculty, staff, and trainees who conduct or support clinical and translational research. This model enables broad participation while supporting ACTS programs and an enhanced member experience.

Several institutions within the CCTS Partner Network currently hold ACTS institutional membership, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tulane University, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Faculty, staff, and trainees at these institutions may activate an ACTS account at no cost and receive full access to ACTS member benefits. These benefits include discounted registration for the Translational Science annual meeting, participation in Special Interest Groups and committees, and access to educational and professional development resources. Individuals at CCTS Partner Institutions that do not hold ACTS institutional membership may still participate in ACTS through an individual membership. Individual membership applies to a single person and is required to receive full ACTS member benefits. ACTS offers individual memberships at an annual rate of $200 for non-trainees and $50 for trainees.

Some ACTS communications and publicly available resources may be viewable without a paid membership. However, access to core member benefits such as meeting discounts, training opportunities, committee participation, Special Interest Group involvement, and educational resources requires either institutional coverage or an active individual membership. Before obtaining an individual membership, ACTS recommends confirming whether your institution qualifies for institutional membership benefits. Those who are unsure whether their institution qualifies or is affiliated with a current institutional member are encouraged to contact ACTS Headquarters for guidance before proceeding.

What ACTS Offers

Build Your Knowledge:
ACTS connects members with peers who understand shared challenges and opportunities in clinical and translational research. Members can exchange lessons learned, collaborate on innovative ideas, and engage with colleagues across disciplines and career stages. Benefits include access to the ACTS Learning Library, which serves as a centralized collection of educational offerings and session recordings from prior meetings, as well as professional development programs, including digital badges. Members may also engage with ACTS through its professional social media platforms.

Access Valuable Insights:
ACTS provides timely information and highlights member contributions across the translational science community. Members receive:

• ACTS Connection, the official newsletter featuring membership news, policy updates, and funding opportunities
• ACTS News, the primary source of news and information for the ACTS community
• News on the Hill, which summarizes national policy developments relevant to clinical and translational research

Increase Your Influence and Engagement:
ACTS offers opportunities for meaningful involvement and professional visibility through participation in Standing Committees and Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Participation in SIGs provides a way to build professional relationships with subject matter experts nationwide, which may lead to new collaborations and potential external referees in the promotion and tenure process. Members may also access the ACTS Career Center, which supports career exploration, recruitment, and professional growth. Outstanding contributions to the field are recognized through ACTS Translational Science Meeting Awards.

Upcoming ACTS Meeting: Translational Science 2026 (TS26)

ACTS will host its annual meeting, Translational Science 2026 (TS26), April 20–23, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. TS26 brings together trainees, researchers, and leaders to share approaches for advancing discoveries from the laboratory into real world impact. This year’s theme, Building Trustworthy Translation: Rigor, Reproducibility, and Real World Impact, will be reflected through educational sessions, workshops, poster presentations, networking opportunities, awards, and career development programming.

Early registration is encouraged, as registration fees increase after Tuesday, February 10, 2026. ACTS has also secured a discounted hotel rate at the Hilton Milwaukee, with rooms available until Friday, March 27, 2026, or until the room block is filled. All official room blocks are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Getting Started

Faculty, staff, and trainees at ACTS institutional member organizations can activate their ACTS membership by creating an individual account and selecting their institution during registration. Once registered, members can explore educational resources, receive communications, and engage with the national clinical and translational science community. For more information about ACTS membership, benefits, and upcoming activities, visit the ACTS website.