Associate Membership
Canadian not-for-profit, degree-granting post-secondary institutions (which are not members of Universities Canada*), as well as research and GLAM (gallery, library, archive, museum) institutions, are eligible to apply for associate membership with CRKN. With our 2025–2029 Strategic Plan in place, we welcome all types of research and heritage institutions to enrich our membership.
*If you are a member of Universities Canada, please instead apply for Institutional Membership with CRKN.
CRKN has two types of associate membership:
Content Licensing Program
This option is for institutions that wish to participate in CRKN’s content licensing program. These Associate Members take part in collective licensing negotiations with publishers, choose which licenses they would like to participate in, and benefit from CRKN's open access initiatives, without access to heritage program services.
Heritage Program
This option is for heritage-focused organizations—such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries, and related institutions—that do not participate in content licensing. These Associate Members join CRKN to access member pricing and services for digitization, preservation, and access, and to engage in CRKN’s heritage program and community, without access to licensed publisher content.
Benefits of Associate Membership
Collective Licensing Leadership
Associate Members participating in CRKN’s content licensing program benefit from CRKN’s role as a collective negotiating body representing over 80 Canadian institutions.
Through national-scale negotiations with publishers, CRKN works to:
- Achieve sustainable pricing and licensing terms
- Advance Canadian research priorities in publisher agreements
- Support the transition toward open and equitable models of scholarly communication
This coordinated approach supports sustainable pricing and ensures that negotiations with publishers reflect the needs of the Canadian research community. By participating in governance and advisory structures, Associate Members have the opportunity to directly help shape the licensing strategies that meet community needs.
- Learn more about the publishers whose content we negotiate and license for our members.
How it works: Members do not participate in any licenses by default, but choose which licenses they would like to participate in; CRKN negotiates the cost and terms of the licenses.
Digital Heritage Content and Research Infrastructure
Associate Members participating in the Heritage program also benefit from CRKN’s leadership in digitization, preservation, and access to Canada’s documentary heritage through collective ownership of the Canadiana Collections and Infrastructure.
Through CRKN’s digital heritage programs, members receive:
- Priority access to digitization, preservation, and hosting services
- Opportunities to contribute content to Canadiana
- Long-term stewardship of Canadian research and heritage materials through shared infrastructure
Community of Practice
Associate Members join a pan-Canadian network committed to open scholarship, shared stewardship, and the long-term sustainability of research and heritage infrastructure.
Associate Members gain access to CRKN’s member listservs and member-only website content, supporting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and engagement across the library, research, and heritage sectors.
Governance and Leadership
Associate Members may participate in CRKN governance through committees and task groups where the specific Terms of Reference require their expertise. This involvement allows Associate Members to contribute to shared decision-making and sector leadership. Associate members may also attend and participate in CRKN’s annual Member Summit and AGM, but they are not eligible to vote at the AGM.
Events and Professional Learning
Associate Members benefit from priority member rates for CRKN’s annual conference and other events that support professional development and sector-wide collaboration.
Content Licensing Program | Associate Membership Application
Step 1: Connect with CRKN
Prospective Institutional Members will contact CRKN before applying at info@crkn.ca.
This conversation allows us to:
- Confirm alignment between your institution’s priorities and CRKN’s services
- Discuss the scope and value of membership
- Review financial considerations and answer any questions about CRKN
This step helps ensure that membership is both strategically relevant and financially viable for your institution.
Applicants are encouraged to review CRKN's Model License.
Step 2: Submit an Application
Prospective Associate Members submit an application form along with supporting information to CRKN.
CRKN Associate Membership Application
Step 3: Board Review
Associate membership applications are reviewed by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, at which point additional questions regarding the operations and interests of the applicant may be raised.
Step 4: Membership Vote at AGM
Membership is approved by a vote of the institutional membership at CRKN’s Annual General Meeting in October.
Required documents and information:
- CRKN Associate Membership Application
- A statement of interest indicating how membership in CRKN aligns with the applicant’s institutional and research priorities
- Information about the institution’s sources of financing and the size of its operating and library budget
- Information about current library holdings and library staff, including who will be responsible for administering CRKN licenses within the applicant’s institution and the institution’s capacity to administer online licenses
- Information about the institution’s technical infrastructure that supports online access to licensed content
- Current enrolment figures (FTE students, both full and part-time), if applicable
- A listing of the number of academic staff, both full and part-time
- A report of current dollar value of sponsored research, from all sources
- A list of other licensing consortia of which the applicant is a member
Heritage Program | Associate Membership Application
Aimed at: Library, Archive, Heritage, Museum, and Gallery organizations
Step 1: Connect with CRKN
Prospective Associate Members are invited to contact CRKN at info@crkn.ca to discuss membership opportunities and membership fees.
Step 2: Submit an Application
Prospective Associate Members submit an application form along with supporting information to CRKN.
CRKN Associate Membership Application
Step 3: Board Review and Confirmation
- Associate membership applications are reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, at which point additional questions regarding the operations and interests of the applicant may be raised.
- Membership is approved by the Board of Directors.
Required documents and information:
- CRKN Associate Membership Application
- A statement of interest that includes how membership in CRKN aligns with the applicant's institutional priorities and recent projects or initiatives related to CRKN's priorities.
Associate Membership Fees
CRKN's associate membership fees are consistent with our practice for institutional memberships and dependent on the size of the organization.
Annual Membership Fees for Associate Members Participating in CRKN's Content Licensing Program
Associate Members participating in CRKN's content licensing program pay an annual membership fee equal to or more than the lowest membership fee applied to CRKN's Institutional Members. This annual fee may be increased based on inflation annually. In addition, Associate Members will be levied a 5% surcharge on the first invoice for each license (a one-time surcharge) for new licenses in which they elect to participate, with a minimum charge of $250, up to a maximum of $1,000 per license.
Associate Membership Fees for Associate Members Participating in CRKN's Heritage Program
Associate membership fees for Associate Members participating in CRKN's heritage program are based on full-time equivalent staff numbers, as a guideline for assessing organizational size. Annual membership fees are eligible for annual increases based on inflation.