In 1965 the Science Fiction Writers Association was founded by Damon Knight to inform and represent professional writers of science fiction. In recognition of the increase in writers of fantasy and horror among its members, the organization was renamed the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFFWA) in 1992.

To qualify for full membership a writer must have sold at least three short stories or one full-length book of fiction to a publication in the United States with a circulation of at least 12,000.

The SFFWA sponsors the annual Nebula Awards and the publication of annual anthologies featuring winners and nominees

In 1970 the Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA), a scholarly organization, was founded by Thomas Clareson of the College of Wooster in Ohio.

Membership is drawn mostly from high school and college-level teachers of science fiction.