Individual Membership
Structure. Support. Strategy.
Join a national community of academics at all career stages and ranks who are working toward the same goals you are. With NCFDD, you get research-backed tools, on-demand trainings, and a supportive network that helps you stay accountable and connected.
Annual Membership: $495
What We’ve Heard from Thousands of Faculty
Academic life is demanding, and success takes more than talent. You need community, structure, and support to navigate challenges like:
Stalled Writing and Publication Pipelines
Time-blocked systems, accountability, and peer support that create steady progress.
Isolation and lack of connection
A national community of colleagues who share strategies, encouragement, and accountability.
Unclear career pathways
Transparent resources for promotion, tenure, and long-term career planning.
Burnout and imbalance
Practical tools to build sustainable work habits and reclaim time for what matters.
Pressure to secure funding
Guidance on diversifying funding strategies and communicating your research to broader audiences.
Graduate and postdoc milestones
Structured curricula and resources to move early scholars forward with clarity.
Why join as an individual?
Succeeding in academia takes more than drive or good intentions. It requires community, support, and strategies you can trust. With NCFDD’s Individual Membership, you join thousands of colleagues nationwide who are working toward the same goals and sharing what works along the way.
Members join because they want:
- Community that sustains them — connections with thousands of academics across disciplines who share strategies, encouragement, and accountability.
- On-demand professional development — hundreds of trainings, courses, and webinars available whenever you need them.
- Accountability that drives results — writing challenges, networking systems, and peer networks that keep projects moving forward.
- Clarity at every stage — resources tailored to graduate students, postdocs, junior faculty, and senior leaders alike.
- Support beyond campus — strategies and insights you may not find within your own department or institution.
Inside the NCFDD Online Member-Only Community
When faculty talk about their NCFDD membership, the word they use most often is community.
More than a resource library or a list of courses, the NCFDD Community is a space where academics connect, share strategies, and support each other through the ups and downs of academic life.
Being an NCFDD member means you’re never working alone.
“My NCFDD individual membership was instrumental in helping me earn tenure and promotion at my institution. The NCFDD member resources on daily writing, semester planning, and weekly planning were key for me. I also found high value in the core curriculum and guest expert webinars, specifically “The Art of Saying No” and the “How to Craft and Submit a Winning Book Proposal in 4 Weeks” multi-week course. These resources were available just when I needed them. I can’t thank the NCFDD enough for providing the resources and structure to help junior faculty make it through the hoops!“
Faustina M. DuCros, PhD
Associate Professor
San José State University
What Individual Members Gain
A supportive professional community
Connections with faculty, postdocs, and graduate students who understand the realities of academic life and provide encouragement, accountability, and fresh perspectives.
Proven systems for productivity
Structured strategies to set goals, protect time for writing, and make steady progress, even during your busiest semesters.
Guidance for navigating challenges
Practical advice on everything from handling feedback and imposter syndrome to negotiating offers and preparing for promotion.
Clarity and control over your career
Resources that help you align daily actions with long-term goals, so you can advance without burning out.
On-demand access to expertise
Hundreds of webinars, courses, and tools created by and for academics, available anytime you need them.
What’s Included in Individual Membership
NCFDD Community
A private online space to connect with peers, ask questions, and share strategies.
Core Curriculum
Foundational self-paced trainings focused on planning, productivity, writing, and time management.
Guest Expert Webinars
Monthly sessions from leaders in academia and professional development.
Multi-Week Courses
Deep dives on high-impact topics like writing habits, tenure and promotion, and well-being.
14-Day Writing Challenges
Structured writing support and accountability in our custom productivity platform.
Dissertation Success Curriculum
A step-by-step system to help graduate students complete their dissertation.
Hidden Handbook Series
Insider strategies to navigate department politics, publishing, and promotion.
Weekly Motivation
Short, actionable productivity tips delivered every Monday.
Member Library
Full access to hundreds of on-demand webinars, trainings, and downloadable resources.
How to Join
If your institution is already a member, you may be eligible for free access through your campus. Find out here.
What’s Next?
Once you activate your Individual Membership, you can:
- Register for upcoming webinars and courses
- Join the next 14-Day Writing Challenge
- Browse the Member Library to explore past trainings
- Connect with other members in the NCFDD Community
- Start applying new and practical strategies right away
“I initially joined NCFDD as part of the Faculty Success Program but I have taken advantage of several resources offered through NCFDD membership. Through the Core Curriculum, I learned numerous skills that I apply each semester to boost my productivity, focus, and mental health. I often share tips from NCFDD resources with peers and junior faculty at my institution. NCFDD has been the push I needed to feel like I can achieve my goal of going up for Full Professor.“
Katherine Moore, PhD
Associate Professor
Arcadia University
Related Programs
Faculty Success Program
A structured, 10-week program that expands on the strategies gained from the 14-Day Writing Challenge, fosters community and provides skill-building opportunities in time management, mentoring, and productivity.
Designed for:
Early Career Faculty | Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty
Rethinking Your Research Funding Course
This new four-week course offers a fresh, practical approach to pursuing funding beyond large federal grants. Faculty learn how to identify and prioritize opportunities with foundations, industry, and local government, build funder relationships, and develop a strategic funding plan. Designed to complement the work of your research office, this course helps faculty move from uncertainty to momentum.
Designed for:
Grad Students | Early Career Faculty | Alt-ac | Tenure Track | Mid-Career Faculty | Senior Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same access institutional members get?
Yes! Individual members receive the same resources (webinars, courses, challenges, NCFDD Community, and the library). If your campus becomes a member later, we’ll update your account so you can transition seamlessly.
What if I already have institutional access?
If you already have institutional access, there is no need to purchase an individual membership. You can use our lookup to see if your institution sponsors NCFDD.
Do I have to attend webinars/events live?
No! Most resources are recorded and available on demand in the Member Library.
How long is an individual membership good for?
Individual memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Will my membership auto-renew?
No!
My institution did not renew their membership, can I switch my account over to an individual membership?
Yes! You can change your membership type by following the steps below:
- Log into members.NCFDD.org
- Select “My Account-Account Profile” on the top right
- Select “Membership Type” on the left
- Choose the membership that applies to you and complete the payment.