JOIN THE TED2024 COMMUNITY

TED is a non-profit supported by the generosity of our community. When you apply for a TED membership, you’re not just purchasing a conference experience — you’re directly supporting the many impactful initiatives that empower and inspire our global audience.

Questions? Send us a note to conferences@ted.com.

Included with a Vanguard Membership

Special eligibility: Early career, never attended TED

All the benefits of a Standard membership, including:

  • A five-day conference experience
  • All conference meals
  • Online networking access
  • Conference video archive
  • Access to TED Membership
Vanguard details →
Apply Now
Apply Now
how does applying work?

How the application
process works

1

The apply button will prompt you to log into your existing TED.com account or create a new account (this part is free).

2

Once you’ve verified your account (for new accounts only), you’ll answer several questions that help us understand a bit more about you. This includes optional demographic questions that help us grow the community thoughtfully. You’re welcome to complete the application in multiple sittings — your partially completed application will be saved to your account.

3

You’ll need to provide payment information but you won’t be charged until your application is reviewed and approved — you’ll then be given a chance to withdraw your application or change your payment method before payment is processed.

Included with a Standard Membership

All the benefits of a Standard membership, including:

  • A five-day conference experience
  • All conference meals
  • Online networking access
  • Conference video archive
  • Access to TED Membership
Standard details →
Apply Now
Apply Now
how does applying work?

How the application
process works

1

The apply button will prompt you to log into your existing TED.com account or create a new account (this part is free).

2

Once you’ve verified your account (for new accounts only), you’ll answer several questions that help us understand a bit more about you. This includes optional demographic questions that help us grow the community thoughtfully. You’re welcome to complete the application in multiple sittings — your partially completed application will be saved to your account.

3

You’ll need to provide payment information but you won’t be charged until your application is reviewed and approved — you’ll then be given a chance to withdraw your application or change your payment method before payment is processed.

Included with a Donor Membership

  • A five-day conference experience
  • All conference meals
  • Online networking access
  • Conference video archive
  • Access to TED Membership
  • Recognition in the program guide
  • Early theater access
  • Additional special events + spaces
  • Additional opportunities to meet speakers
Donor details →
Apply Now
Apply Now
how does applying work?

How the application
process works

1

The apply button will prompt you to log into your existing TED.com account or create a new account (this part is free).

2

Once you’ve verified your account (for new accounts only), you’ll answer several questions that help us understand a bit more about you. This includes optional demographic questions that help us grow the community thoughtfully. You’re welcome to complete the application in multiple sittings — your partially completed application will be saved to your account.

3

You’ll need to provide payment information but you won’t be charged until your application is reviewed and approved — you’ll then be given a chance to withdraw your application or change your payment method before payment is processed.

Membership Details

Vanguard Membership

The Vanguard membership invites early-career individuals who have never been to TED to attend the conference at a heavily subsidized price. Vanguard applications are subject to especially stringent review and approval process; not all Vanguard applicants will be selected, as passes for this membership type are very limited in number.

Vanguard members enjoy all the same privileges and access as Standard members. We encourage Vanguard members to apply for Standard TED membership after their first year.

Eligibility: The Vanguard membership is open to:

  • Early career, first-time TED conference attendees. We welcome anyone to apply, but focus on early career professionals whose careers are at a tipping point.
  • Professionals in the fine and performing artists, educators, activists, technologists, entrepreneurs and leaders at NGOs, scientists, medical and legal innovators and thinkers.

Important notes on eligibility:

  • We actively seek applicants from all parts of the globe
  • Applications from professionals in traditional for-profit industries (i.e. Investment banking, venture capital, finance) will not be considered for Vanguard membership, however will be considered for Standard membership.
  • Vanguard membership is only applicable for one TED conference. Previous Vanguard attendees will not be considered for future Vanguard membership.
  • Vanguard membership is not available as a companion pass for spouses, partners or family members of existing TED community members.

Requirements: If you'd like to attend a TED Conference, you must apply for membership. Due to limited space and high demand, conferences sell out very quickly.

Benefits:

  • Same as Standard membership (as listed above)

Tax deductibility:

TED is owned by the TED Foundation, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation registered in the state of New York, US. $2,000 of the TED Vanguard fee may be tax-deductible; fair market value is US $3,000.

Please consult your tax professional. We issue tax receipts at the end of each calendar year. See our Registration policies page for terms and details.

Standard Membership

Requirements: If you'd like to attend a TED Conference, you must apply for membership. Due to limited space and high demand, conferences sell out very quickly.

Benefits:

  • Conference attendance: The five-day program includes up to a dozen sessions of TED’s famous talks, deep dive workshops and activities known as Discovery Sessions, group dinners and parties, comfortable simulcast spaces, exhibits and interactive experiences, plus a few surprises!
  • Online social networking: Join the year-round TED Conference private social network. Interact with other members and new friends.
  • TED Live on-demand access: Revisit your favorite talks and sessions from the conference with the TED Live on-demand video archive. More about TED Live

Tax deductibility:

TED is owned by the TED Foundation, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation registered in the state of New York, US. $7,000 of the TED Standard fee may be tax-deductible; fair market value is US $3,000.

Please consult your tax professional. We issue tax receipts at the end of each calendar year. See our Registration policies page for terms and details.

Donor Membership

This special membership category of TED Donor is available for those who wish to further support TED's goals with a larger annual contribution.

Requirements: If you'd like to be a Donor, you must apply for membership to the TED Conference.

Benefits:

  • Conference attendance: The five-day program includes up to a dozen sessions of TED’s famous talks, deep dive workshops and activities known as Discovery Sessions, group dinners and parties, comfortable simulcast spaces, exhibits and interactive experiences, plus a few surprises!
  • Online social networking: Join the year-round TED Conference private social network. Interact with other members and new friends.
  • TED Live on-demand access: Revisit your favorite talks and sessions from the conference with the TED Live on-demand video archive. More about TED Live
  • Early access: Get admitted early to the theater to access the best seats for all sessions.
  • Special programming: Additional events, spaces and opportunities to meet speakers.
  • Recognition: Receive acknowledgment in the conference program.
  • Concierge services: Dedicated to providing assistance with all conference-related inquiries throughout the year.
  • Early renewals: Get an opportunity to apply early to renew your membership.
  • Extended transfer/carryover deadlines: Get more flexibility with transfers and carryover options. (See our Registration policies.)

Tax deductibility:

TED is owned by the TED Foundation, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation registered in the state of New York, US. $22,000 of the TED Donor fee may be tax-deductible; fair market value is US $3,000.

Please consult your tax professional. We issue tax receipts at the end of each calendar year. See our Registration policies page for terms and details.

Patron Membership

This special 5-year membership category of TED Patron is available for those who wish to further support TED's goals with a more substantial contribution.

Requirements: If you'd like to be a Patron, you must apply for membership to the TED Conference. Please email conferences@ted.com for details.

Benefits:

  • Conference attendance: The five-day program includes 11 sessions of TED’s famous talks, deep dive workshops and activities known as Discovery Sessions, group dinners and parties, comfortable simulcast spaces, exhibits and interactive experiences, plus a few surprises!
  • Online social networking: Join the year-round TED Conference private social network. Interact with other members and new friends.
  • TED Live on-demand access: Revisit your favorite talks and sessions from the conference with the TED Live on-demand video archive. More about TED Live
  • Early access: Get admitted early to the theater to access the best seats for all sessions.
  • Special programming: Additional events, spaces and opportunities to meet speakers.
  • Recognition: Receive acknowledgment in the conference program.
  • Purchase membership for a guest: Option to bring one guest per year at the prevailing membership rate, any time up to four weeks before the conference (subject to TED's approval).
  • Patron Concierge: Dedicated to providing assistance with all conference-related needs throughout the year.
  • Automatic renewal: Your membership automatically renews annually during the five years -- without further payment required -- regardless of any membership price increases.
  • Extended transfer/carryover deadlines: Get more flexibility with regard to transfers and carryover deadlines. (See our Registration policies.)

Tax deductibility:

TED is owned by the TED Foundation, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation registered in the state of New York, US. $235,000 of the TED Patron fee may be tax-deductible; fair market value is US $15,000.

Please consult your tax professional. We issue tax receipts at the end of each calendar year. See our Registration policies page for terms and details.

Registration Policies

A fee is charged for attendance to the TED Conference (for information about pricing and tax deductibility, see levels of conference membership). TED reserves the right to reject applications to attend the TED Conference. In addition to the general policies listed above, once TED Conference attendance has been agreed and payment processed, the following terms apply:

Transfer

If you can’t make it to the conference, you may submit a request to transfer your Standard, Donor or Patron membership to someone who is equally able to contribute to the community, provided:

  • We receive full details of the proposed transfer via email at conferences@ted.com.
  • Your transfer request is submitted 3 or more weeks before the conference starts.
  • The proposed Transferee completes an online membership application which is subject to TED’s approval.

Your transfer is not confirmed until you have received written confirmation from us and the associated administrative fees listed have been paid.

Once a transfer is confirmed, the following terms also apply:
* Standard transferees will receive a Standard conference membership.
* Donor and Patron transferees will receive a Donor conference membership.
* The Transferee will need to pay relevant fees to receive your full conference membership
* Access to the the TED Live conference video archive will be given to the Transferee.

Note: Vanguard memberships are approved for specific individuals and may not be transferred.

TED reserves the right to refuse transfer requests and instead offer alternative arrangements for your membership.

Transfer fees
  • 6+ weeks before TED: $500 admin fee
  • 3 to 6 weeks before TED: $1000 admin fee
  • Transfer fees are waived for Donor and Patron memberships
Carryovers for extenuating circumstances

If you are unable to attend the conference due to extenuating circumstances (ie. medical reasons, family emergency, etc), you may be entitled to attend the following year's conference, provided we receive the carryover request via email at conferences@ted.com with supporting documentation.

Your registration for the following year’s conference is not confirmed until you have received written confirmation from us and paid the associated administrative fees listed.

Once a carryover request is confirmed, the following conditions apply:
* Memberships cannot be carried over for more than one consecutive year.
* Carryovers are only allowed to the same conference the next year.
* Should the conference membership rate change for the following event, you are responsible for any incremental cost. If you do not pay the increment within 30 days of being notified, your conference pass will be canceled.

Carryover fees
  • 6+ weeks before TED: $500 admin fee
  • Less than 6 weeks before TED: $1000 admin fee
  • Carryover fees are waived for Donor and Patrons

Carryovers and any administrative fees are at the discretion of TED and will not be offered for situations outside of those outlined above. TED reserves the right to refuse even those carryover requests that meet the above terms, and instead allow transfers.

Carryovers for Patrons

If you are unable to attend the conference due to extenuating circumstances (ie. medical reasons, family emergencies, etc), you may carry forward your membership one year by giving written notice prior to the start of the conference.

Health and safety

You'll need to follow TED's health and safety rules which could include providing vaccination status and being tested for COVID-19. If needed, we'll set these guidelines in accordance with expert recommendations and legislation closer to the event.

If you test positive for COVID-19 anytime within 14 days prior to the event, we ask that you provide medical documentation and/or test results in order to qualify for a carryover. The administrative fees associated with carryovers will be waived.