Membership

CFR members enjoy unparalleled access to a nonpartisan forum through which they engage with and gain insight from experts in international affairs. Members have in-person access to world leaders, senior government officials, members of Congress, and prominent thinkers and practitioners in academia, policy, and business, many of whom are members themselves. Convening nearly one thousand events annually, CFR is dedicated to facilitating an intellectual exchange of ideas through expert panel discussions, symposia, town halls, livestreams, and CEO forums exclusively for members. Through exposure to CFR’s think tank, publications, briefing materials, and special content on CFR.org and ForeignAffairs.com, members benefit from an expansive collection of unmatched intellectual capital and resources.

Life Membership

March 1 and November 1

Term Membership

January 10

CFR seeks quality, diversity, and balance in its membership. Criteria for membership include intellectual achievement and expertise; degree of experience, interest, and current involvement in international affairs; promise of future achievement and service in foreign relations; potential contributions to CFR’s work; desire and ability to participate in CFR activities; and standing among peers. New CFR members are elected twice a year by the Board of Directors.

The Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program, established to cultivate the next generation of foreign policy leaders, encourages promising young individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in a sustained conversation on international affairs and U.S. foreign policy. Each year, a new class of term members between the ages of thirty and thirty-six is elected for a fixed five-year membership term.

Founded in 1953 with twenty-five corporate members, the Corporate Program has since expanded to include more than 120 global member companies from sectors ranging from financial services to health care and manufacturing. Through CFR’s unmatched convening power, the program links private-sector leaders with decision-makers from government, media, nongovernmental organizations, and academia to discuss issues at the intersection of business and foreign policy.

 

Corporate membership is available at three levels: Gold ($100,000), Silver ($75,000), and Bronze ($50,000).

Executives from member companies are offered briefings with CFR fellows, invitations to events covering a wide range of foreign policy issues, and professional development opportunities for young professionals and rising executives. The highlight of the program year is the annual Corporate Conference, which addresses such topics as geopolitical risk, the global economic outlook, and technological innovation. Companies at the top levels of membership also have access to a series of exclusive events and communications designed expressly for CEOs, including an annual CEO Summit.

Life & Term Membership

To learn more about Life or Term memberships, please contact Membership:

212.434.9456
[email protected]

Corporate

To learn more about Corporate Membership, contact the Corporate Program:

212.434.9684.
[email protected]