The International Mycological Association IMA, founded in 1971, represents the interests of 20,000 mycologists worldwide. It is a non profit making organization, the purpose of which is the encouragement of mycology in all its branches. The International Mycological Association constitutes the Section for General Mycology of the International Union of Biological Societies (IUBS), the primary biological component of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU).



Important activities of the IMA are sponsorship of International Mycological Congresses, representation of mycological interests at an international level, and encouragement of liaison with and development of national, regional, and international bodies that have mycological interests. Toward these aims several publications are made available periodically. The IMA is managed by its officers and Executive Committee who are elected by the General Assembly of delegates at each Congress.