ISAPP 2025 Membership Terms and Conditions

The mission of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) is to advance the science of probiotics, prebiotics and related substances, such as synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods.  Organizations agree to become a member of ISAPP to contribute to this mission, subject to these standard Membership Terms and Conditions.

Purpose

ISAPP membership is for organizations who share the mission of ISAPP for advancing scientific excellence in probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics and fermented foods. Annual membership dues provide funding to ISAPP to carry out this mission. Funds are used at the discretion of the board of directors to support the full range of ISAPP activities. 

Scope

ISAPP is a board-run organization, governed by a volunteer academic voting board of directors. Membership of ISAPP is a non-voting membership and does not confer any partnership or ownership rights or responsibilities for members. The collective group of member organizations forms the ISAPP Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), which advises ISAPP on industry perspectives and issues of interest within the field, as well as contributing scientific expertise and collaborating within ISAPP member activities. 

Membership status

Acceptance and continuance of membership within ISAPP is at the discretion of the board of directors and subject to compliance with ISAPP rules and policies during the term of membership. Membership numbers may be limited to assure a working group size conducive to accomplishing established goals. Either ISAPP or the member may terminate the membership with written notice delivered to the other party. ISAPP requires that members demonstrate:

  • A science-based approach to probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, postbiotic and fermented foods product development
  • A commitment to and funding of related research
  • A commitment to responsible product formulation and communications
  • A commitment to the mission of ISAPP and a willingness to work toward that mission in a collaborative manner with the ISAPP Board of Directors and other members

Membership benefits

All members are eligible to receive the applicable ISAPP membership benefits and programs (in accordance with the terms of those benefits and programs). While member benefits and programs are subject to change from time to time by ISAPP, planned 2025 benefits include opportunities for:

  • Participation in a collaborative multidisciplinary community of industry and academic scientists with a common mission to advance the science of probiotics, prebiotics, and related substances.
  • Participation in ISAPP’s Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), advising ISAPP on industry perspectives and issues of interest within the field.
  • Contribution of scientific expertise and collaboration within ISAPP member activities. 
  • Engagement with the ISAPP board of directors and other expert scientists for the latest perspectives on scientific issues and topics in the field.
  • Connections with ISAPP’s network of students and fellows to build relationships with the future leaders in the field.
  • Support of ISAPP’s efforts to deliver accurate and relevant information about biotics to consumers, healthcare providers and other stakeholders.
  • Access to member-only content, including virtual content, resources and monthly newsletters.
  • Participation in the ISAPP annual scientific meeting with complimentary registration for up to two (for full members) or one (for non-profit members) organizational representative/s. Attendance at ISAPP’s annual meeting is usually restricted to academic experts invited for their knowledge of the topics being addressed at the meeting, as well as IAC member scientists and selected SFA members (students and early career researchers). The 2025 annual meeting is to be held July 15-17, 2025 in Banff, Canada.
  • Eligibility to apply as a candidate and/or to place a vote for a candidate for the role of IAC representative, a position selected by IAC members through an annual election process. The IAC representative liaises with the ISAPP Board of Directors to provide industry perspectives on issues relevant to the science, is invited to attend most board meetings in a non-voting advisory role, and works with ISAPP to coordinate member activities.  
  • Receiving recognition and acknowledgement of the organization’s support of ISAPP through display of the member logo on the ISAPP website and in relevant ISAPP communications/presentations acknowledging member support. Member logo images are requested upon commencement of ISAPP membership, and provision of the logo by the member grants consent to ISAPP for such purposes. 
  • Reasonable use of the ISAPP logo by member organizations, according to the ISAPP logo use policy here. The ISAPP name or logo must not be used in ways that suggest or imply ISAPP endorsement of any company, its products, or its services.

As noted above, ISAPP members are not members in the legal sense and do not hold voting power or authority over the actions of the Board of Directors, such as the right to elect board members or approve bylaws and policies.

Membership dues

Membership fees for 2025 are USD $12,000 annually, or discounted to USD $6,000 annually for non-profits, for the period of January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. Dues are set by the ISAPP Board of Directors. Invoices are sent in November 2024 with 60 day payment terms. Members agree to pay annual dues in accordance with these invoice terms. Either ISAPP or the member may terminate the membership with written notice delivered to the other party.

ISAPP Participant Code of Conduct

Scientific representatives of ISAPP member companies may choose to attend, participate in and make intellectual contributions within ISAPP meetings, events and activities open to member collaboration. This attendance and contribution is voluntary. Such participation is subject to these Terms and Conditions as well as the ISAPP Participant Code of Conduct, as detailed below. 

Intellectual property and confidential information: Participants are responsible for ensuring contributions and materials provided do not contain confidential, proprietary, trade secret or other sensitive data or information. Contributions made by participants in ISAPP discussion groups, committees, research projects or other scientific activities may be used freely by ISAPP in furtherance of its mission.

Copyright: Participants are responsible for ensuring contributions and materials provided are solely the author’s original work and appropriate attribution and consent is given to use any third party material. By making contributions within the scope of ISAPP discussion groups, committees, research projects or other scientific activities, the author grants permission to the group to use these contributions within the group’s output in perpetuity at no charge to ISAPP.   

Conflict of interest: Participants are responsible for disclosing their own potential conflicts of interest within group activities and outputs conducted under the auspices of ISAPP in a manner consistent with generally acceptable principles for scientific conduct. Each participant is requested to support group efforts to ensure any identified conflicts of interest within the group are appropriately managed to mitigate potential bias in group discussion and outputs. 

Antitrust requirements: Participants must confirm to the requirements of applicable antitrust law, which may include, but is not limited to: Avoiding participation in and objecting to any group discussion or action that may amount to a restraint of free trade under antitrust law, ensuring an accurate agenda and minutes are maintained of meetings held under the auspices of ISAPP. Further details on ISAPP’s antitrust policy can be found here.

Further ISAPP assurances

Antibribery requirements: ISAPP commits to compliance with all applicable legal rules and requirements including applicable anti-bribery legislation, and that it has not and will not make, promise or offer to make any payment or transfer anything of value to any person or entity to unlawfully influence, secure or retain any business for ISAPP or member.  

Further, that the arrangements related to ISAPP membership do not and shall not constitute an incentive or reward for either party’s past, present or future willingness to prescribe, administer, recommend the products or services of the other party.

Data protection requirements: ISAPP commits to collect, use and manage data in strict compliance with all laws and regulations regarding the protection of personal data applicable in the countries where data are collected.

Further details on ISAPP’s privacy and data collection policy can be found here.

For any further questions on ISAPP membership, terms and conditions, or to enquire about joining ISAPP as a member, please reach out to ISAPP”s Executive Director Marla Cunningham at marla@nullisappscience.org.