The Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies (ANHS) was founded in 1971 as the Nepal Studies Association with support from the Ford Foundation. In 1999, to reflect a widening member base and area of interest, the association broadened its mandate to cover the entire Himalayan region and adjacent mountain areas (High Asia), and adopted its current name. ANHS is a non-profit 501(C)3 educational organization governed by its Constitution and By-laws.

ANHS is the oldest academic organization devoted to the study of the Himalaya in the United States. Members include universities, major libraries, scholars, students, resource and development professionals, and other Himalayan-region residents and enthusiasts. ANHS members work or live in or are experts on Bhutan, Nepal, the Indian Himalaya, Pakistan, Tibet, Afghanistan and Central Asia.

The ANHS peer-reviewed journal, HIMALAYA, publishes original research and serves as a clearinghouse of information about regional publications, conferences, grant and study opportunities and research in progress. ANHS organizes conferences and symposia, sponsors photography exhibits and other outreach efforts, and issues an annual prize for the best graduate student paper and an annual senior fellowship to support research in the region.

Image of Kanchenjunga used with permission of Aron Ostrovsky.