ACSM Approach to Partner Development

For more than 60 years, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has advanced and translated – independently and without bias or regard to funding agencies – scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. ACSM and its members are dedicated to promoting well-being, sport safety, fitness and physical activity through research, education and public health efforts that positively impact quality of life for athletes, patients and the public worldwide.

ACSM has translated this commitment into a substantial record of scientific and clinical advances for improving health and safety outcomes.

The importance of intersector collaboration has long been recognized by the World Health Organization and many others. To have a substantial national and global impact, the health and science sector has to work with other areas of society. ACSM considers such an approach important as well and, accordingly, pursues and engages in well-designed partnerships with governments, national governing bodies, academia and industry to achieve its goals.

As part of standard operating procedure, ACSM’s leadership:

• Reviews and assesses its partnerships to ensure continued alignment with the College’s mission and goals.

• Recognizes its ethical responsibility to disclose relationships with funding partners. This has been ACSM’s longstanding policy.

• Maintains a clear and well-defined separation between the financial support of partners and the programmatic decisions that are made by the College on matters of science, policy and advocacy. 

• Continually seeks ways to further strengthen its approach to partnership sustainability and development.

ACSM is committed to scientific integrity and transparency and has worked diligently to maintain these ideals in a rapidly changing world. While ACSM values its partners, none interfere with, influence or keep the College from achieving its mission.