Meridian welcomes individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in one of our focus areas. Many of our members are either working directly on one of our focus areas, or are in one of our programmes. However, membership is open to anyone who can contribute to the community. In general, we're looking for individuals who possess:

• A deep curiosity about the world's most pressing challenges, including AI safety biosecurity, global health and development, and other impactful cause areas.

• A commitment to evidence-based approaches in the pursuit of positive change.

• A track record of transforming ideas into tangible projects and initiatives.

• A consideration for the long-term implications of their actions and a desire to create lasting impact.

1. Maskelyne Membership

Best for: Those planning to use Meridian as their primary coworking space

Eligibility:

• Actively working at an organization aligned with our focus areas

• Conducting research aligned with our focus areas

• Typically, have at least one year of full-time experience in a relevant project or organization

2. Flamsteed Membership

Best for:

• Students

• Those involved in Meridian projects

• Professionals with less than 1 year of experience in our focus areas

• Individuals interested in our cause areas

3. Visiting Member

Best for: Short-term visitors (less than 1 month)

Ideal for:

• Individuals visiting Cambridge for a short period

• Those collaborating with or visiting Meridian

• People seeking inspiration for projects in our focus areas
  

If you are unsure about which membership to apply for, we recommend applying for Flamsteed Membership.

Meridian members enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Access to a vibrant community of like-minded individuals passionate about making a positive impact.

• Invitations to exclusive events, workshops, and discussions.

• Access to our coworking spaces and facilities.

Meridian reevaluates memberships every 6 months. During the reevaluation process, members may be asked to reapply for their current tier or consider transitioning to a different tier that better suits their engagement and contributions to the community.

Please note that Meridian reserves the right to suspend or revoke membership at any time for any reason.

Involvement in a Meridian Project does not automatically grant membership. Membership is a separate process with its own set of benefits and expectations.

If you are involved in a Meridian project and are interested in becoming a member, we encourage you to apply for Flamsteed Membership.

If you plan to use Meridian as your primary coworking space and are actively working at an organization or on research aligned with our focus areas, the Maskelyne Membership tier may be the best fit.

We aim to make decisions on applications within two weeks of receiving them.

In addition to the written application, you may be asked to attend a brief interview.

Meridian is located at 53, 54 Sidney Street. We're nestled right in the heart of Cambridge, in between Town & Gown and Real Eating Co.

Thanks to a generous grant from Open Philanthropy, membership at Meridian is currently free of charge. We believe that financial barriers should not prevent passionate individuals from accessing the resources and support they need to make a positive impact in the world.

Our membership tier names reflect Meridian's connection to Cambridge's scientific history and the groundbreaking work on longitude and meridian calculation. Nevil Maskelyne and John Flamsteed, both Cambridge alumni and former Astronomers Royal, made significant contributions to solving the longitude problem - a challenge crucial for global navigation that relied on precise meridian calculations. (A Meridian is a longitude line, an imaginary arc on the Earth's surface from the North Pole to the South Pole.)

Our organization's name, Meridian, draws from this legacy: just as the Prime Meridian (which passes through nearby Greenwich) serves as a global reference point, we aim to be a focal point for extraordinary projects and people in Cambridge.