ORCID recognises that from time-to-time, ORCID member organizations may undergo a merger or acquisition. In these cases, some member organizations may have good reason to maintain two separate ORCID memberships (e.g. if a vendor/service provider needs to be run ‘at arm’s length’ from the parent publisher to avoid monopoly or conflict of interest concerns from competitors or to keep ORCID-derived data segregated). At other times, members may choose to consolidate ORCID membership under one organization.
When two or more members wish to consolidate their membership, it can only be done at the end of the non-renewing member’s term. Membership terms run for 12 months, and can only be cancelled per the end of a term. Members in this situation are asked to notify ORCID in advance of their scheduled renewal if the merging or acquired member organization does not wish to renew.
Where an active system integration needs to be transferred from one member to another, ORCID offers an integration migration service which requires both members to sign a Credential Transfer Agreement with ORCID. This agreement requires members to confirm that (i) the member acquiring the system integration will assume and adhere to the data protection responsibilities agreed between ORCID and the original member who developed the integration (as set out in our membership Terms and Conditions), and (ii) the acquired entity or merging entity must ensure that it has the right to transfer ORCID data to the surviving entity under the terms in which the data was first acquired.
Do you have questions about this policy?
For further information, please contact [email protected], and our Engagement Team would be happy to answer your questions on membership and integrations.
Last updated: 8 August 2025