How to Join

Becoming a member of the OCW Consortium

We welcome membership applications from institutions and organizations around the world that support the mission of the OpenCourseWare Consortium. Membership categories and requirements are outlined below.

Individuals, whether they represent Consortium members or not, are welcome to use and modify materials and resources found on this website, and to participate in discussions, webinars, communities of interest, and other Consortium activities.

Membership Application Process

Once you have determined the category to which your organization or institution would like to belong, please fill out the membership application. You will need to agree to the terms of the Memorandum of Association for that membership category, along with providing information about your institution or organization and its support of OpenCourseWare and openness in education.

Once your membership application has been submitted, it is sent to our membership committee for initial approval, and then to the OCW Consortium Board of Directors for final approval. This process normally takes about 2 weeks.

If you have any questions on membership, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Membership Categories

Institutional members: Accredited post-secondary institutions that demonstrate significant support for the production, use and/or promotion of OpenCourseWare. Institutional members get one vote for each open seat in the elections of the Consortium’s board of directors.

Organizational members: All other Institutions or organizations that demonstrate significant support for the production, use and/or promotion of OpenCourseWare. Organizational members get one vote for each open seat in the elections of the Consortium’s board of directors.

Associate Consortium: Groups of Institutional or Organizational members who have formed into an Association based on common interests. Associate Consortia must have a minimum of 5 Institutional or Organizational members affiliated with them to remain in good standing. Associate Consortium members get one vote for each open seat in the elections of the Consortium’s board of directors.

Corporate members: Corporations that provide services or materials that further the mission of the OCW Consortium and direct support of the Consortium in the form of higher annual dues. Corporate members do not have voting privileges.

Full descriptions of membership types are found in our bylaws.

2013 OCW Consortium membership fees:

Institutional and Organizational Members
$551 if located in a developed country
$275 if located in developing countries

Sustaining Membership*:

Basic - $27,500 paid over five years

Silver -$250,000

Gold - $1,000,000

Institutional and Organizational Members who are also members of an Associate Consortium
$386 if located in a developed country
$165 if located in developing countries

Associate Consortium
$551 if located in a developed country
$275 if located in developing countries

Sustaining Membership*:

Basic - $27,500 paid over five years

Silver -$250,000

Gold - $1,000,000

Corporate Members

Basic - $1,000 annual membership fee

Premium - $5,000 annual membership fee

Sustaining - $50,000 contribution - lifetime membership

Corporate Sponsorships available starting at $20,000

Please contact us for more details.

* The sustaining membership is available only to non-profit entities.  Commercial and for-profit entities are advised to consider the Corporate membership options as an option to give additional support.

A limited number of fully subsidized memberships are available to institutions with extreme financial need. Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.