Pi Sigma Alpha

What Pi Sigma Alpha does

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society, a private non-profit founded in 1920 and headquartered at 1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC. The society operates a membership-based model through more than 850 chapters at colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, serving undergraduate political science students, faculty advisors, and an alumni network drawn from those chapters. Students are inducted after meeting academic criteria set at the chapter level, with faculty advisors facilitating membership initiation and chapter activities.

The society's product surface spans honor society membership, the peer-reviewed Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics (ISSN: 1556-2034, founded 2001, bi-annual, with editorial hosting rotating across academic institutions — currently Elon University, transitioning to St. Olaf College in Fall 2026), the annual National Student Research Conference (introduced 2014, hosted 2016–2025 at George Washington University and moving to American University in 2026), and several award and scholarship programs. Financial-support offerings include the Howard Penniman Graduate Scholarships (up to five awards of $2,000 each), the Nancy McManus Washington Internship Scholarships (up to five of $2,000 each), and Best Paper/Thesis Awards ($250 first place). Underlying technology is a website-based membership management system hosted at pisigmaalpha.org with online chapter forms and submission portals, alongside branded merchandise distributed through an external e-commerce partner (Printing Plus) and a partner diploma-frame vendor (Church Hill).

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time membership initiation fees collected at the chapter level via the national office, supplemented by regalia and merchandise sales through the external store; specific financial figures are not publicly disclosed. The society is governed by an elected Executive Council serving four-year terms and funds a portfolio of sponsored awards at partner organizations including APSA, MPSA, NCAPSA, NCOBPS, NEPSA, SPSA, SWPSA, and WPSA, plus a partnership with The Washington Center for internship housing support.

Name

Pi Sigma Alpha

Legal name

Pi Sigma Alpha

Website

https://pisigmaalpha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society, a non-profit operating 850+ chapters at colleges and universities across the US, Canada, and Mexico, serving undergraduate political science students and faculty advisors through membership, scholarships, an annual research conference, and a peer-reviewed undergraduate journal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Honor Society

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Sciences & Public Policy Research Universities (EDAHABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education, Research & Academic Congresses (THAHAJAD), Alumni Benefits, Membership & Affinity Programs (EDALAOAM), Alumni Events, Reunions & Regional Chapters (EDALAOAG)

Keywords

• Political science honor society
• Academic recognition programs
• Undergraduate research publishing
• Student scholarship programs
• Academic conference hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Initiation Fees: One-time initiation fees collected from new chapter members upon induction; fee structure varies and is managed through the national office
2. Regalia and Merchandise Sales: Sale of honor regalia, medallions, diploma frames, and branded merchandise through an external e-commerce platform (Printing Plus) and partner diploma frame company (Church Hill)

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society, providing academic recognition through membership to undergraduate political science students at 850+ chapters across North America. The society delivers peer-reviewed research publication via the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics, an annual National Student Research Conference, graduate and internship scholarships, chapter activity grants, and best paper/thesis awards.

Product overview

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society operating as a membership-based organization rather than a technology product. The core offering centers on honor society membership with associated benefits including the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics for publishing undergraduate research, the annual National Student Research Conference for presenting research and professional development, and Best Paper & Thesis Awards for academic recognition. Financial support programs include Howard Penniman Graduate Scholarships and Nancy McManus Washington Internship Scholarships. Additional offerings encompass the Alumni Award, Chapter Activity Grants (civic engagement, speaker, and start-up grants), regalia/merchandise sales, and virtual induction ceremonies. The society maintains over 850 chapters across North America and sponsors various awards at other political science organizations including APSA, MPSA, and regional conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society Membership National Political Science Honor Society with over 850 chapters at colleges and universities. Provides recognition of academic excellence, honor regalia, access to National Student Research Conference, scholarships, and best paper awards for student members.
• Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics A peer-reviewed journal (ISSN: 1556-2034) publishing undergraduate research in political science and government, published bi-annually. Founded in 2001, currently hosted at Elon University with St. Olaf College taking over from Fall 2026.
• National Student Research Conference Annual conference providing a venue for student members to present research, receive feedback, attend professional development events, and network with peers and industry professionals; traditionally hosted at George Washington University (2016-2025) and moving to American University in 2026.
• Best Paper & Thesis Awards Annual awards recognizing outstanding undergraduate class papers and honors theses. First place prize is $250 with runners-up receiving $100 each.
• Howard Penniman Graduate Scholarships Scholarships awarded annually to up to 5 members entering graduate school in political science, each worth $2,000. Nominations come from chapter advisors.
• Nancy McManus Washington Internship Scholarships Up to 5 scholarships of $2,000 awarded annually to members participating in political science internship programs in Washington, DC. At least one scholarship is reserved for Washington Center participants.
• Alumni Award Annual award recognizing alumni under age 35 who have emerged as leaders through personal and professional achievements in political science and related fields. Recipient receives plaque and serves as keynote speaker at National Student Research Conference.
• Chapter Activity Grants Grants supporting chapter activities including Civic Engagement Grants, Speaker Grants, and Reactivation & Start-up Grants of up to $750 for new chapters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2014, thousands of students have attended and presented research at the National Student Research Conference
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Washington Center partners with Pi Sigma Alpha to provide $2,500 housing cost support for McManus Scholarship winners participating in TWC internship programs each season (spring, summer, fall). The Washington Center, founded in 1975, is the largest full-time internship program in the nation's capital.
• Church HillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch Hill is a partner for diploma frames and certificates, referenced on the Pi Sigma Alpha website as a recommended vendor for framing Pi Sigma Alpha certificates and medallions.
• St. Olaf CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarting Fall 2026, St. Olaf College becomes the new editorial host institution for The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics, hosting the submission portal and editorial operations.
• Elon UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElon University has hosted the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics since Fall 2020, with their last issue being Spring 2026. The Sigma Upsilon chapter at Elon manages editorial operations.
• American Political Science Association (APSA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAPSA partners with Pi Sigma Alpha to sponsor the Franklin L. Burdette/Pi Sigma Alpha Award ($750) for the best paper at the APSA Annual Meeting. Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society affiliated with APSA.
• Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPi Sigma Alpha partners with MPSA to fund the Best Paper by a Graduate Student Award, Best Undergraduate Paper in Poster Format Award, and Graduate Student Travel Scholarship, all presented at MPSA Annual Meeting.
• North Central Political Science Association (NCAPSA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPi Sigma Alpha funds the Award for Undergraduate Mentoring ($250 cash prize) presented annually in the fall by NCAPSA.
• National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPi Sigma Alpha provides funds to support the Lena Harris Stromile Student Leadership Award and the Sammy Younge Best Student Paper Award at NCOBPS Annual Meeting.
• New England Political Science Association (NEPSA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPi Sigma Alpha supports two NEPSA student paper awards: the Robert C. Wood Prize for Best Paper by a Graduate Student and the Wilson Carey McWilliams Prize for Best Paper by an Undergraduate.
• Southern Political Science Association (SPSA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPi Sigma Alpha funds the Malcolm Jewell Award for Best Student Paper presented at the SPSA Annual Meeting.
• Southwestern Political Science Association (SWPSA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPi Sigma Alpha partners with SWPSA to fund an award for the best undergraduate paper of the calendar year, invited to present at the next year's SWPSA meeting.
• Western Political Science Association (WPSA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPi Sigma Alpha provides funding to support the Undergraduate Poster Session and Graduate Student Reception held annually at the WPSA Annual Meeting.
• George Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorge Washington University, through its Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM), has served as the traditional host venue for the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference since 2016. The conference was held at GWU from 2016-2025 before moving to American University in 2026.
• American UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican University hosted the 13th Annual National Student Research Conference in February 2026, marking the first year the conference was held at this institution.
• Printing PlusminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrinting Plus operates the official Pi Sigma Alpha store (printing-plus.net) for merchandise including regalia, medallions, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and pins.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mortar Board: Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college seniors for distinguished scholarship, leadership, and service. It operates similarly to Pi Sigma Alpha in being a chapter-based honor society with national programming and scholarships.
• Golden Key International Honour Society: Golden Key is a large international honor society with chapters at universities globally, providing recognition, scholarships, and leadership opportunities. It is comparable as a chapter-based academic honor society, though broader in scope than Pi Sigma Alpha.
• National Honor Society (NHS): The National Honor Society is the largest and best-known high school honor society in the U.S. While focused on secondary rather than postsecondary education, it is comparable in mission structure (academic recognition + chapter model + scholarship programs) to Pi Sigma Alpha.
• Sigma Xi: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, is a much larger and longer-established honor society promoting research across STEM disciplines. While focused on science rather than political science, it is highly comparable in mission and chapter-based operating model.

Direct peers

• Phi Beta Kappa: The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States, covering the humanities and social sciences. It is the closest direct peer to Pi Sigma Alpha in mission, structure, and chapter-based model.
• Omicron Delta Epsilon: Omicron Delta Epsilon is the international honor society for economics, operating a chapter-based model at colleges conferring economics degrees. It is closely comparable in academic-discipline scope and membership structure to Pi Sigma Alpha.
• Alpha Kappa Delta: Alpha Kappa Delta is the international honor society for sociology, with a chapter-based model at sociology programs across the U.S. It is a close adjacent-discipline peer with an almost identical operating structure.
• Pi Gamma Mu: Pi Gamma Mu is the international honor society for the social sciences, recognizing excellence across multiple social science disciplines. Its member base and chapter structure closely mirror Pi Sigma Alpha's, though it spans a broader social science scope.
• Pi Alpha Alpha: Pi Alpha Alpha is the national honor society for public affairs and administration, operating a similar chapter-based model at universities awarding degrees in public administration. It is the closest subject-matter peer to Pi Sigma Alpha within the political science / public affairs academic honor society space.

Others

• American Political Science Association (APSA): APSA is the parent professional association with which Pi Sigma Alpha is formally affiliated and co-sponsors the Franklin L. Burdette/Pi Sigma Alpha Award. While not itself an honor society, APSA is the principal ecosystem partner governing Pi Sigma Alpha's academic standing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PiSigmaAlphaNational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pi-sigma-alpha-the-national-political-science-honor-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/pisigmaalpha
• Xx.com/PSANational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pi Sigma Alpha