Why Join

Join OGC to collaborate with global leaders, shape open standards, and showcase interoperable solutions that drive innovation and trust across the geospatial ecosystem.

Advance Research

Access and contribute to cutting-edge standards and open geospatial technologies for academic projects.

Educate & Inspire

Provide students with hands-on experience in real-world geospatial standards and industry practices.

Collaborate Globally

Work alongside international organizations, government, and industry to share research outcomes.

Visibility & Recognition

Showcase research achievements, faculty expertise, and student contributions on a global platform.

Membership Benefits

Tailored for universities, research institutions, and educational organizations aiming to empower students and faculty with open geospatial standards.

Working Group Participation & Voting

Join OGC Working Groups to collaborate with experts and influence future standards development.

Innovation

Programs

Participate in code sprints, testbeds, and pilots to apply academic insights in real-world settings.

Micro Credential Programs

Benefit from reduced membership fees and extra Agora license to students.

Grants & Partnerships

Publish case studies, white papers, and research findings through OGC channels.

Student Engagement

Enable students to join OGC activities, gain mentorship, and build global networks.

Visibility & Recognition

Receive certificates, directory listings, and showcase your institution’s commitment to open standards.

MEMBER COMMUNITY

Step Into Agora

Discover Agora—OGC’s dynamic platform designed to keep you informed, connected, and involved. Whether you’re just onboarding or already part of the community, Agora offers easy access to essential resources and collaboration spaces right from your mobile device.

Explore shared interests, contribute to geospatial solutions, and engage with fellow members and non-members alike.

Membership for All Organization Sizes

Whether you’re a Nonprofit or NGO, OGC membership scales with your team size, offering the same core benefits, from participation in working groups and innovation programs to certification and visibility.

 

Use our Membership Fee Calculator to estimate your annual dues.

Engagement Levels (OGC Tier Framework)

Scale your participation based on your product strategy and market goals. Each tier builds on the previous one — unlocking broader governance roles, innovation access, and visibility.

Professional/
Developer

Join to Participate: 

Participate in working groups, innovation programs, and access compliance discounts.

Explorer

Join to Participate: 

Participate in working groups, innovation programs, and access compliance discounts.

Catalyst

Join to Influence:

All the benefits in the previous tire, and – Ability to propose new working groups, Gain technical committee membership with voting rights, and eligible for unlimited compliance packages.

Principal

Join to Lead:

All the benefits in the previous tire, and – Planning Committee membership and voting rights, Election of OGC Board of Directors, Prominent branding and promotion and unlimited compliance packages. 

Strategic

Join to Invest:

All the benefits in the previous tire, and – Strategic Member Advisory Committee (SMAC) Representation, Direct a percentage of organization’s membership dues for specific OGC technical initiatives and unlimited compliance packages.

Request for full tier details and benefits in the Enquiry Form. 

Compare Engagement Levels​

Benefits
OGC portal licenses1
Complimentary registrations for each online OGC Events and Member Meetings 
Complimentary registrations for each online OGC Events and Member Meetings 
Can participate in Code Sprints
Can participate in working groups 
Can propose a new working group
Technical Committee membership and voting rights
Planning Committee membership and voting rights
Election of OGC Board of Directors
Opportunity to engage in Quarterly C-Suite Forums
Strategic Member Advisory Committee (SMAC) Representation
Direct a percentage of organization’s membership dues for specific OGC technical initiatives
Can participate in COSI projects as an observer 
Eligible for funding through OGC technical initiatives if selected 
Eligible for OGC advisory support
Eligible for Advisory Services
Eligible to sponsor branded fellowships
Brand awareness and promotion 
Sponsored memberships4
Professional/
Developer
1
12
Unlimited
  • Be listed in the OGC Member Directory & portal Agora
Explorer
5
1
Unlimited
  • Be listed in the OGC Member Directory & portal Agora
  • Display the official OGC Member logo & certificate
  • Share your work via OGC blogs, newsletters, and social media
Catalyst
20
2
Unlimited
  • Be listed in the OGC Member Directory & portal Agora
  • Display the official OGC Member logo & certificate
  • Share your work via OGC blogs, newsletters, and social media
Principal
50
4
Unlimited
  • Prominent placement on the OGC website homepage
  • Display the official OGC Member logo & certificate
  • Share your work via OGC media channels, including one featured use case per year

1 Explorer organization & 2 individuals

Strategic
100
20
Unlimited
  • Prominent placement on the OGC website homepage
  • Display the official OGC Member logo & certificate
  • Share your work via OGC media channels, including one featured use case per year
  • OGC promotion in external industry and media outlets

2 Explorer organizations & 4 individuals

1University members receive extra student portal licenses: Explorers get 20, Catalysts 100, Principals 500, and Strategic members have unlimited

2One complimentary registration per year

3Extra small commercial members are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in funding per membership cycle

4Sponsorship-level memberships are not eligible to bid on or receive funding through technical initiatives. A paid Explorer (or higher) membership is required.

Enquire About Membership

Share details about your company and objectives. We’ll follow up with eligibility, dues, and engagement opportunities.