affiliation (
http://definr.com/affiliation)
n 1: a social or business relationship: "a valuable financial
affiliation"; "he was sorry he had to sever his ties
with other members of the team"; "many close
associations with England" [syn:
association,
tie,
tie-up]
2: the act of becoming formally connected or joined: "welcomed
the affiliation of the research center with the
university"