The American Society for Cell Biology
The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) is a public charity based in Rockville, Maryland. It supports a scientific community focused on cell biology through professional programs, outreach grants, awards, and assistance for members attending its annual meeting.
The American Society for Cell Biology at a glance
In short: The American Society for Cell Biology reported $1K in grants paid in 2024 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2024)
- $1,000 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- -80.0% vs 2023
- Total assets
- $15,066,655
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $7,068,106
- -10.0% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $664,953
- +58.9% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $6,614,974
- -13.2% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The American Society for Cell Biology
- How to Apply
-
For COMPASS Outreach Grants, postdocs and graduate students may apply to organize public-engagement activities. Travel-grant applicants submit the materials and responses listed above, and selected applicants confirm meeting registration. Honorific-award nominations may be made by the member or a colleague.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6120 Executive Blvd 750, Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 347-9300
Website: https://ascb.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The American Society for Cell Biology
ASCB COMPASS Outreach Grant
The American Society for Cell Biology
Amount
$280 - $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
ASCB FRED (Faculty Research and Education Development) Mentoring Program
The American Society for Cell Biology
Amount
Varies (program includes funding for participants and mentoring support)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The American Society for Cell Biology funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 23 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ASCB describes its membership as worldwide, with 25% of members working outside the United States. The travel-grant page includes an option for graduate students and postdocs residing in an EMBC Member State or Global Partner country. The 2021 grants listed here went to organizations in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and California, and to the University of Rochester in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How The American Society for Cell Biology gives
- 45% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2024) to $293K (2020). In 2024 it reported $1K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mayo Clinic Minneapolis, MN | Public Engagement Grant | $41,000 |
| Science Moab Moab, UT | Public Engagement Grant | $40,376 |
| STEM Advocacy Insitute Boston, MA | Public Engagement Grant | $35,000 |
| The University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Public Engagement Grant | $35,000 |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA | Public Engagement Grant | $35,000 |
| High Point University High Point, NC | Subaward on NIH Ipert Grant | $20,738 |
| The University Corporation CSU Northridge Northridge, CA | Subaward on NIH Ipert Grant | $17,583 |
| Duke University Charlotte, NC | Public Engagement Grant | $13,407 |
| University of Vermont & State Agricultural College Burlington, VT | Subaward on NIH Ipert Grant | $11,938 |
| Science Clubs International Cambridge, MA | Public Engagement Grant | $10,800 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,066,655 | $7,068,106 | $6,614,974 | $1,000 | Total only | $664,953 |
| 2023 | $14,531,023 | $7,854,621 | $7,623,695 | $5,000 | Total only | $418,551 |
| 2022 | $13,703,113 | $7,779,549 | $7,416,259 | — | — | $345,623 |
| 2021 | $15,443,069 | $6,821,961 | $5,789,039 | $266,342 | 11 | $539,456 |
| 2020 | $13,840,317 | $4,790,669 | $5,531,466 | $292,526 | 12 | $651,348 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ASCB’s mission is “to lead a diverse, global and multidisciplinary scientific community focused on the cell, the basic unit of all life.” Its programs include COMPASS Outreach Grants, which support outreach activities organized by postdocs and graduate students, and travel and familycare grants that help eligible members attend the annual Cell Bio meeting.
ASCB also runs workforce-development programs supporting career development and broader participation in the biomedical workforce. Its FRED Mentoring Program provides grant-writing mentorship and career development for senior postdocs and junior faculty from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM, including at minority-serving institutions. The society also offers honorific awards recognizing members’ research, education, mentoring, and service.
The 2021 grantees included organizations with varied missions. West Chester University Foundation described its mission as promoting West Chester University’s charitable, scientific, and educational interests. High Point University described its mission as equipping graduates for success and significance through education and related values and skills. The University Corporation described activities conducted on behalf of California State University, Northridge, including administering funds and grants. The University of Rochester described its mission as providing higher education, research, and charitable patient care.
Grantmaking
ASCB’s filings report zero grants in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Separate records list four grants in 2021 totaling $78,821: $35,000 to West Chester University Foundation, $20,738 to High Point University, $17,583 to The University Corporation, and $5,500 to the University of Rochester. These four awards range from $5,500 to $35,000; the available information does not establish a typical grant size.
ASCB’s website describes COMPASS Outreach Grants for postdocs and graduate students organizing public-engagement activities. It also describes travel and familycare grants for eligible members attending Cell Bio. The 2026 travel-grant page says applications are closed; it lists a $500 grant for ASCB members and requires an application, a CV or biosketch, a meeting abstract submission, and responses to questions about prior support, financial resources, career goals, and contributions to the ASCB community. Selected recipients must confirm meeting registration. The page also describes a separate travel-grant option funded by the European Molecular Biology Organization for eligible international graduate students and postdocs.
ASCB honorific awards accept self-nominations and colleague nominations. The stated annual application period begins April 15, with a standard deadline of May 15 or June 30 for awards requiring a meeting abstract; those 2026 dates have passed. The FRED program provides year-long mentorship and grant-writing support; the supplied program information does not state an application deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sandra Murray as president, Mary Munson as president-elect, Erika Holzbaur as past president, Daniela Cimini as secretary, and Tim Lane as treasurer. It also lists Rong Li, Beata Mierzwa, Lesley Weaver, Veronica Segarra, and Bill Earnshaw as members.
The American Society for Cell Biology is led by Rebecca Alvania, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2022; 8 of 25 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rebecca Alvania
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$333K (2022) → $343K (2024)
Sandra Murray
President
President-Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Anawalt
Director of It
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$126K (2020) → $138K (2024)
Alison Harris
Director of Meetings
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $115K (2024)
Brian Theil
Director of Membership
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$118K (2021) → $125K (2024)
Julie Hill
Director of Marketing & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$119K (2024)
Yurong Fei-Bloom
Director of Publications
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$110K (2024)
Kevin Wilson
Vice President, Policy, Governance & Meetings
Director of Public Policy → Interim-Ceo, 2021
Interim-Ceo → Vice President, Policy, Governance & Meetings, 2022
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$160K (2020) → $196K (2024)
Haben Kubrom
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Director of Finance → Vice President, Finance & Administration, 2022
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$123K (2021) → $257K (2024)
Beata Edyta Mierzwa
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erika Lf Holzbaur
Past President
President-Elect → President, 2023
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lesley Nicole Weaver
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rong Li
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Veronica A. Segarra
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chantell Evans
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Applewhite
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Chen
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ahna Skop
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aron Jaffe
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Earnshaw
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniela Cimini
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fred Chang
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Munson
President-Elect
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Oliver
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Lane
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Kerry S. Bloom (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Lynn Marquis (2020–2023) — Director of Coalition of Life Sciences
- Former: A. Malcolm Campbell (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Amy S. Gladfelter (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Andrew G. Campbell (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Casper C. Hoogenraad (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Erin D. Goley (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Martin Chalfie (2021–2023) — Past President
- Former: Ashanti Edwards (2023) — Director Professional Development
- Former: William Earnshaw (2023) — Member
- Former: Needhi Bhalla (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Ruth Lehmann (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Stephanie L. Gupton (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Thea Clarke (2020–2022) — Director of Comms. & Education
- Former: William Mehler Bement (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Jordan Raff (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: William Leader (2020–2021) — Director of Publications
- Former: Alejandro Sanchez Alvarado (2020) — Member
- Former: Andrew W. Murray (2020) — Past President
- Former: Anna Huttenlocher (2020) — Member
- Former: Erika C. Shugart (2020) — CEO
- Former: Eva Nogales (2020) — President
- Former: Gary J. Gorbsky (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: George M. Langford (2020) — Member
- Former: Janet H. Iwasa (2020) — Member
- Former: Julie A. Theriot (2020) — Member
- Former: Karen Oegema (2020) — Member
- Former: Michael D. Ehlers (2020) — Member
- Former: Omar A. Quintero (2020) — Member
- Former: Uloma Nwauche (2020) — Director of Finance
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $343K, to Rebecca Alvania (Chief Executive Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The American Society for Cell Biology
How much does The American Society for Cell Biology give each year?
The American Society for Cell Biology reported $1K in grants paid in 2024 on its 2024 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2023 it reported $5K in grants paid.
How large is The American Society for Cell Biology?
The American Society for Cell Biology reported $15.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.1M.
What does The American Society for Cell Biology fund?
ASCB’s mission is “to lead a diverse, global and multidisciplinary scientific community focused on the cell, the basic unit of all life.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The American Society for Cell Biology?
For COMPASS Outreach Grants, postdocs and graduate students may apply to organize public-engagement activities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The American Society for Cell Biology make grants?
ASCB describes its membership as worldwide, with 25% of members working outside the United States. The travel-grant page includes an option for graduate students and postdocs residing in an EMBC Member State or Global Partner country. The 2021 grants listed here went to organizations in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and California, and to the University of Rochester in New York.
What is The American Society for Cell Biology's EIN?
The American Society for Cell Biology's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6054285. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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