What are the benefits of joining The Challenger Society for Marine Science?
- You join the UK community of marine practitioners, scientists, postgraduate students and other professionals
- You receive the Society’s journal, Ocean Challenge, and Challenge Wave, the Society’s monthly newsletter. Although, please note that we are no longer able to post physical copies of Ocean Challenge to members outside of the British Isles.
- You find out about people, news, events and employment opportunities in marine science and you are provided with informed articles on topical issues.
- You will learn about the exciting discoveries that have radically altered our view of the oceans and the part they play in our lives.
- You find out how interdisciplinary teams of marine scientists are studying critical issues such as the impact of human activity on global oceans and climate, rises in sea level and sustainable use of resources in the ocean.
- You are able to attend, at reduced rates, the biennial Challenger conference and a range of other scientific meetings supported by the Society including a range of active special interest groups.
- You are eligible for travel awards and other Society fellowships and awards
- You will join a Society that provides a collective voice to represent the interests of marine scientists in the wider public debate and in political and policy consultations.
Challenger membership fees support up to £12,000 of early career grants every year, the biennial Challenger conference in which Challenger ECR fellowships (up to £1000 per fellowship) are awarded, support for Special Interest Groups to hold annual meetings (£500 per group), 51% of the UK’s subscription to the international SCOR programme, the production of Ocean Challenge and much more. Without our members the Society could not facilitate the activities described above which provide fundamental support for ECRs and enable our community to come together at these events.
Membership Rates for 2026
Membership subscriptions are valid for a 12 month period from the date of joining. Please note that we do not offer institutional memberships.
There are eight categories of membership:
| Membership Category | Annual Membership Rate | Additional Information |
| Ordinary member | £80.00 | |
| Student member | £30.00 | |
| Early Career member | £65.00 | New category from 2026. Eligibility for the new ‘early career’ rate is aligned with the Challenger Society ECR definition. |
| Retired member | £32.00 | |
| Unemployed member | £32.00 | New category from 2026. |
| Library membership | £50.00 | |
| Corporate membership | £200.00 | |
| Honorary Life member | Free | Designated by the council. |
Subscriptions can be paid by PayPal or by Bank Transfer.
Please note that whilst we are in the process of designing a new website we have had to revert to a manual membership system. If you would like to join the society, update your membership record or raise a query about membership please contact the membership officer for the Society at info@challenger-society.org.uk.
Notice for existing Challenger members (19/12/2025)
Regarding the new membership rates we have outlined the actions you need to take below:
- If your membership is paid by standing order please update the amount with your bank as soon as possible, especially for those with standing orders in early January.
- If your membership is paid via a recurring PayPal transaction you do not need to take any action. We will update the amount in due course, and you will receive an email from PayPal once it has been amended.
- If you pay by bank transfer please increase your payment in line with the new rates when you are next notified of your membership expiring.
If your membership type has changed with the new categories being introduced, please email info@challenger-society.org.uk to advise of us this.