Jisc’s negotiation and licensing strategic groups

Our strategic groups set the direction of negotiations and ensure that our members' requirements are embedded into our service.

Group of four colleagues having a meeting

Working in partnership, and with the support of these groups, enables us to negotiate affordable agreements that save our members time and money - both in the acquisition and delivery of digital content.

UUK/Jisc content negotiation strategy group

The group focuses on setting strategy for major journal and open access negotiations both during this transitionary period and post transition.

Universities UK has convened the UUK and Jisc content negotiation strategy group to support and enhance the mandate of Jisc in negotiating publishing agreements with major academic publishers.

Find out more about the strategy group.

UUK/Jisc software negotiation strategy group

This group has been convened by UUK and Jisc to support and enhance the mandate of Jisc in negotiating software agreements and recognises the collective UK interest in negotiations concerning acquisition and use of software. 

The group will provide leadership for national negotiations and facilitate discussions and debate. 

Find out more about the UUK/Jisc software negotiation strategy group.

Content expert group

The content expert group complements the work of the UUK/Jisc content negotiation strategy group.

Find out more about the content expert group.

Learning content expert group

This expert group was formed in recognition of the need to support UK sector negotiations for learning and teaching content across further education and higher education.

Find out more about the learning content expert group.

Library purchasing coordination group

The group collaborates, coordinates and communicates on strategic and practical issues that shape and impact library procurement.

Find out more about the library purchasing coordination group.

Transitional agreements oversight group

The group works across publishers to scrutinise the cost, trajectory and efficacy of transitional agreements.

Find out more about the transitional agreements oversight group.

Further developments

Copyright Negotiating and Advisory Committee (CNAC)

In August 2025, Jisc will welcome the Copyright Negotiating and Advisory Committee (CNAC) to its licensing strategic groups.

The CNAC, first established in 1988 by Universities UK and GuildHE, negotiates copyright licences on behalf of the sector if they are considered to be in the best interests of the sector. This includes monitoring how licences are implemented and raising issues with licensing bodies about new products or services they might want to initiate, that are related to copyright and likely to affect universities.

Find out more about CNAC on the Universities UK website.