ABOUT BMES

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We regularly compile and post a compendium of questions members and visitors have raised about BMES. Here are those most frequently asked:

What is the Biomedical Engineering Society?

The Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) is an interdisciplinary society established on February 1, 1968, in response to a manifest need to provide a society that would represent both biomedical and engineering interests. The ongoing vision of the Society is to be recognized as the preeminent professional society for biomedical engineering and bioengineering. The Society’s mission is to provide value to its members and other constituencies by promoting the increase and utilization of biomedical engineering and bioengineering knowledge and by working for the advancement of the profession. For more information, visit History.

What are the benefits of belonging to BMES?

BMES membership includes two print and three online journals, the monthly BMES e-Bulletin Biomedical Engineering News, rich career services, the members-only resources on the BMES website, and discounts on publications and meeting registration. See the Member Benefits page for a complete list of benefits available to each category of member.

Who are the members of BMES?

BMES members are the leaders and future leaders in biomedical engineering and bioengineering. Members are actively engaged in biomedical engineering research, development, and education. Several categories of membership are available:

  • Fellow - Fellow status is awarded to Society members who demonstrate exceptional achievements and experience in the field of biomedical engineering with a record of membership and participation in the Society. A portion of a fellow’s annual dues funds BMES student awards and other Society activities.
  • Member - Members must have a degree in biomedical engineering or a related field; must have conducted meritorious original research, development, application, or teaching in biomedical engineering; and must now be engaged in biomedical engineering.
  • Associate Member - Candidates must either be employed in biomedical engineering, conduct research or development in biomedical engineering, or hold an academic degree in biomedical engineering or a related science.
  • Early-Career Member - Early-career membership is available to candidates who received a degree in biomedical engineering or a related science within three years of the date of application.
  • Student Member - Applicants currently enrolled as full-time students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in biomedical engineering or a related science may be admitted to student membership.
Should students join BMES?

Absolutely! In addition to access to our journals, Annals of Biomedical Engineering and Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, BMES offers a diverse array of career services, including an online job board, chapters for local networking with peers, and many other benefits. Visit the Students page for more information.

How do I join BMES?

Apply online by completing the BMES Membership Application Form. Be sure to complete the form fully and to list contact information for your sponsor, who must be a BMES member in good standing.

BMES memberships are application based and are not automatic with online payments. You will receive a confirmation e-mail when your application has been completed and activated welcoming you to BMES and providing you with your member ID, username, and password. A formal welcome letter with your membership card will be mailed to you.

New and renewing student and early-career applicants must provide a member sponsor who is a faculty member of their educational institution and a BMES fellow or member in good standing.

Who can be a sponsor, and why is it important that I list one?

Your sponsor is your professional and academic reference we use when reviewing your application. Your sponsor must be a fellow, member, or associate member of BMES. (Student and early-career members may not serve as sponsors.) If you do not have a sponsor and cannot locate one, contact the BMES Membership Department and we can help you find a sponsor. Renewing members, except for students, do not need to list a sponsor.

When do I receive my membership information and journals?

Processing and reviewing your membership application generally takes one to two weeks. If we don’t hear from your sponsor right away, it may take a bit longer.  Within the week you applied, you should receive an e-mail confirmation. You will receive a membership card and welcome letter in the mail two to four weeks after we receive your application. If you subscribe to the journals, your first issue of Annals of Biomedical Engineering will arrive in about 60 days. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering is published quarterly, so your first issue of CMBE will depend on when you apply relative to that publication schedule. If you do not receive your materials within this time frame, contact the BMES Membership Department.

I am an international applicant. How does this affect my membership dues?

Members in Canada and Mexico pay an additional $10 US for postage.  International members in all other countries pay an additional $35 US for postage.  Check the appropriate box on the membership application.

I am a student/early-career member and want to subscribe to Annals of Biomedical Engineering or Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering. Are these journals included in my membership?

Student members do not receive the print journals as part of their membership.  For $50 additional, you may subscribe to the print editions of both journals. Mark the appropriate box on your membership application.

When should I apply for BMES membership?

BMES membership is on a calendar-year basis (January to December). Dues are not prorated if you apply later in the year. You can apply at any time — and should join as soon as you can to take advantage of all of the benefits BMES offers. If you subscribe to the journals, you may contact the BMES Membership Department about back issues for the months prior to your joining. Your membership must be approved and processed before you can register as a member for the BMES annual meeting, so apply several weeks in advance of the registration deadline.

How do I renew my BMES membership?

Renew your membership online by completing the BMES Membership Renewal Form. If you cannot remember your password, click the link to have it e-mailed to you. Your default username is your first initial and your last name, with no spaces or other characters. If this does not work or you forgot your username, contact the BMES Membership Department for assistance.

I am a student who is about to graduate.  How does this affect my membership status?

If you are an undergraduate who will be entering a graduate program in biomedical engineering or a related field, you still qualify for student membership. If you are an undergraduate who is beginning his or her career or a graduate student completing your degree, you now qualify for early-career membership. Check this box on the renewal form.

How can I be sure I am receiving all information from BMES?

Make sure you put a permanent mailing address on your application and include as much detailed information as possible — department, mail stop, etc. If you move, be certain to set up mail forwarding with the US Postal Service. It is a good idea to go online and check the accuracy of your contact information regularly.

I forgot my password. How do I retrieve it?

If you cannot remember your password, first try using your BMES member ID number. If this does not work, click the link on the member login page to have it e-mailed to you. Your default username is your first initial and your last name, with no spaces or other characters. If this does not work or you changed and forgot your username, contact the BMES Membership Department for assistance.

What awards does BMES offer, and what are their deadlines?

BMES offers a number of awards for distinguished research and service by individuals and organizations, early-career investigators, and students. The BMES Awards page provides complete descriptions of these awards, with listings of their deadlines.

How can I become more involved in BMES?

Fellows and full members of BMES may hold elected office. Fellow, full, and associate members are eligible to vote in BMES elections. All members of the Society may serve on committees and task forces — and we encourage you to be an active participant. Visit the BMES Leadership page for a listing of current officers and committees, as well as contact information for committee and task force chairs. Contact the chair of the committee or task force you would like to join directly, or contact the chair of the Nominating Committee about standing for election to national office.

Is there a BMES student chapter on my campus?  If not, how can I start a chapter?

BMES has more than 100 active student chapters. A complete list can be found on the Student Chapters page. If there are no chapters near you, instructions on how to establish a new chapter are also on the Student Chapters page. Student chapters must have at least 10 members who are current, active members of BMES and a faculty adviser who is a fellow, full, or associate member of BMES. Contact the BMES Membership Department for questions about starting a chapter.

Does BMES offer scholarships for students in biomedical engineering?

BMES does not have any scholarship programs. We do offer travel awards to participate in the BMES annual meeting and research and design awards for students presenting papers at the meeting. Visit the BMES Awards page for more information.

Have we answered your question? If you have a question that isn’t answered here, or if you would like additional information, please contact the BMES Membership Department:


Mail
Attn: Membership
Biomedical Engineering Society
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1125
Landover, MD 20785
Phone 1-877-871-BMES (2637) or 301-459-1999      
Fax 301-459-2444
E-mail Barbara Colburn, Membership Director