About AGI

The American Geosciences Institute

AGI Photo Glyph

AGI was founded in 1948, under a directive of the National Academy of Sciences, as a network of associations representing geoscientists with a diverse array of skills and knowledge of our planet. The Institute provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources, resilience to natural hazards, and the health of the environment.

AGI is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the geoscience community and addressing the needs of society. AGI headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.

AGI's Mission:

The American Geosciences Institute represents and serves the geoscience community by providing collaborative leadership and information to connect Earth, science, and people. 

AGI's Vision:

A world that understands and trusts the role of the geosciences in fostering creative solutions for the Earth and humanity. 

AGI Provides:

Your Connection to the Geosciences

AGI connects Earth, science, and people by serving as a unifying force for the geoscience community. With a network of nearly 50 member organizations, AGI represents over a quarter-million geoscientists across the country and around the world. No matter your discipline, AGI's essential programs and services will strengthen your connection to the geosciences.

The AGI Network

Guiding AGI are some of the top leaders of the geosciences, all with established scientific careers and demonstrated leadership in their respective societies. Working together, they emphasize the shared interests of a diverse, vibrant community. Member Societies nominate representatives to the AGI Member Society Council, which then elects a governing Board of Directors.

Membership Levels:

  • Member Societies. The primary category of AGI's membership. These societies have a large national presence in the geoscience community. Admitted by a 2/3 vote of the AGI Member Society Council. Member Societies pay annual membership dues based on the society’s U.S. membership.

  • International Associate Organizations. Includes societies with fewer than 2,000 U.S. members. Inclusion in the AGI Network facilitates interaction between U.S. and international geoscience organizations; membership also supports international geoscience development as well as promoting the geosciences in underserved countries.

  • Regional Associate Organizations. AGI Member Society status requires the society to have a national scope. For the many societies that are focused on serving their local and regional communities, AGI established the Regional Society category.

  • Trade Associate Organizations. AGI recognizes that the priorities of trade associations are different than those of other geoscience societies. Trade Associates access workforce data, professional development courses (CEUs), meeting facilities, shared business services, 100 free day passes to AusGeoRef or CanGeoRef, and discounts on publications.

  • Academic Associate Organizations. These university-level academic departments access valuable resources and opportunities to help educate the next generation of geoscientists for a wide range of employment sectors.

  • Liaison Organizations. Liaisons are organizations that are important in the geoscience community but are not structured as a dues-paying member society. National Laboratories and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine are among AGI’s Council Liaisons. Inclusion of AGI Council Liaisons in the AGI Network strengthens the geoscience community and increases opportunities for communication between disparate groups.

The AGI Foundation, the Board of Directors, and a range of advisory committees provide financial, policy, and program support to AGI staff members.

PDF iconBylaws of the American Geosciences Institute