The Renal Association is the professional body for United Kingdom nephrologists (renal physicians, or kidney doctors) and renal scientists in the UK. It is active in the planning and development of renal services and nephrology in Britain. It is also involved in the promotion and dissemination of research and education relating to the specialty. The Association was founded in 1950, when its activities were restricted to holding scientific meetings. It has more recently come to play an active role in the development of renal services within the U.K. In January 2010 The British Association of Paediatric Nephrology became a division of The Renal Association.

The German Society of Nephrology is the leading nephrology association for physicians in the field of dialysis and clinical nephrology, as well as for scientists and investigators working in the field of nephrology and hypertension in the German speaking countries. The Society currently has about 2,100 members and holds scientific conferences as well as an annual congress.
One key aspect of the Society’s work, besides continuing training, is to provide support for research, especially for young researchers. Several well-endowed prizes and scholarships are awarded each year.

The Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN) was founded in 1964 as a scientific society which includes medical specialists dealing with kidneys and their diseases. The first article of its bylaws includes among its aims to "encourage and disseminate research in the fields of Clinical Nephrology, Dialysis, Renal Transplantation, Hypertension and all related materials," and 
the second article mentions the spirit of "building rapport with other regional and foreign companies."
Nowadays, SEN is opened to all the scientific community, and consists of more than 1800 Spanish and foreign members. SEN also has its own official publication through the journal "Revista Nefrología".