Open Access Network Membership Program

Want to support the Open Access Network? Here’s how!

Although our long-term model is based on an institutional fee structure, as we work to establish the Open Access Network, we have set up a membership program that any institution, school or division, center or department, library, scholarly society, university press, academic publisher, foundation, organization, or individual can join.

By becoming a member, you demonstrate your support for an open access model that is scalable, sustainable, equitable, and fair. The funds raised will go to support the organizational infrastructure for the Network and the pilot projects we will use to test the model. A multi-year commitment is invaluable. A consistent base level of funding would enable us to give our partners in the pilot project the assurance they need to see the project through. We know budgets are tight and funding is never guaranteed, but a three- or five-year funding commitment would be truly invaluable.

By becoming a member of the Open Access Network you join like-minded people and organizations that want to take an active role in bringing transformative change to the scholarly communication ecosystem.

All members’ names are listed. Institutional and other organizational members include a link to their homepage and appear on the Network map; for privacy reasons, individuals do not appear on the map. Allied members are limited to those organizations that share the goals of the OAN but have no mechanism for paying memberships.

Member Levels

Supporter: $10–$999

  • Participation in the OAN e-mail listerv
  • Choice of Open Access Network Member logos

Benefactor: $1,000–$4,999

  • Participation in the OAN e-mail listerv
  • Choice of Open Access Network Member logos
  • Invitation to the quarterly webinar updates

Collaborator: $5,000–$9,999

  • Participation in the OAN e-mail listerv
  • Choice of Open Access Network Member logos
  • Invitation to the quarterly webinar updates
  • Opportunities to participate in professional development and training

Partner: $10,000–$19,999

  • Participation in the OAN e-mail listerv
  • Choice of Open Access Network Member logos
  • Invitation to the quarterly webinar updates
  • Opportunity to participate in online Q&A with principals and partners
  • Invitation to have a representative on the OAN Advisory Council

Leader: $20,000 and above

  • Participation in the OAN e-mail listerv
  • Choice of Open Access Network Member logos
  • Invitation to the quarterly webinar updates
  • Opportunity to participate in online Q&A with principals and partners
  • Invitation to have a representative on the OAN Advisory Council
  • Consultation via video conferencing with K|N’s principals for up to 10 hours per year

Allied Member: Upon Request

  • Choice of Open Access Network Member logos

FAQ

How much money is needed? What is the tipping point?

We believe that the route to successful adoption of the approach we are advocating is to demonstrate its attractiveness and sustainability through a stepwise implementation process.

To obtain initial seed funding, we have established a membership program open to anyone and everyone who wishes to join the OAN and contribute to the initial pilot projects that will demonstrate in practice how the OAN works.

To fund the post-pilot implementation phase, we proposed in our white paper targeting 1,038 institutions concentrated in the United States and Canada, but with representation throughout the globe, resulting in $56,993,479 in annual revenue. If we go by the law of diffusion of innovation, when we are able to convince 167 (or roughly 16% of those 1,038 institutions) to agree to pay the annual fee, we will have reached a tipping point of institutions who believe in the plan. Critical mass, which indicates widespread adoption and ensures that innovation is now self-sustaining, would require 519 to adopt the model in an ongoing manner. Because of the evolving nature of scholarly publishing, the amount of money raised, while important, is not as critical as getting adopters on board in supporting changing the way the system is funded.

What are you doing now to raise money?

As we work to establish the OAN, we have set up a membership program that any institution, library, university press or publisher, scholarly society, foundation, organization, or individual can join. Tiered ranges allow for maximum flexibility within the levels of membership: Supporter ($10 – $999), Benefactor ($1,000 – $4,999), Collaborator ($5,000 – $9,999), Partner ($10,000 – $19,999), and Leader ($20,000 and above).

By becoming a member at whatever level, you demonstrate your support for a model for open access that is equitable, scalable, and sustainable. The monies raised will go entirely to support the administrative and organizational infrastructure for the OAN and to fund the pilot projects we will use to test its model.

In this phase we want the Network to be seen for what it is: broad and inclusive, with members that include high schools, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and universities. We also welcome libraries, societies and university presses and scholarly publishers of all sizes — and budgets. We are pursuing foundation funding and are asking for-profit organizations to contribute as sponsors. And of course we welcome grassroots support from individuals. Because the OAN is a legal entity of K|N, a US registered 501(c)(3) organization, your membership may qualify for an income tax deduction in accordance with Federal and/or State income tax laws. Please consult with your tax adviser to determine whether your membership or donation is tax deductible, in whole or in part.