Announcement: DSpace & DSpace-CRIS Merger Approved

[DSpace Technical Support]

Dear DSpace Community, 

We are very pleased to share with you an important update about the future of the DSpace platform.

Announcement

On November 19, the DSpace Leadership Group approved moving forward with a merger of DSpace and DSpace-CRIS. Prior to this vote, the DSpace Steering Group also approved the merger on November 12.  With both Governance groups voting in favor, the merger of the two platforms is now officially confirmed.

Background

This decision follows several months of analysis and consultation led by two Merger Planning Groups, which explored both the strategic and technical implications of unifying the two platforms. Their reports helped guide Governance toward this next step in aligning our strategic goals, reducing duplication of effort, and building a single, stronger, and more sustainable DSpace. 

What Does the Merger Mean for DSpace?

The merger will take place over two major releases — beginning with DSpace 10.0 and concluding with DSpace 11.0. The result will be a single, unified platform called DSpace, which will incorporate the strengths of both DSpace and DSpace-CRIS. Institutions will be able to configure which features they wish to enable or disable, allowing each installation to operate in a way that best meets local needs. This means an institution can choose a setup that behaves much like traditional DSpace, one that incorporates more DSpace-CRIS-style functionality, or an approach somewhere in between. 

How Will the Merger Proceed?

The merger will take place over multiple releases and will include a phased series of pull requests contributed from DSpace-CRIS into the DSpace codebase. A Merger Management Team will be formed to coordinate timelines, activities, and community involvement. The DSpace Steering Group will determine the team's composition and charge. 

How Can I Learn More About the Merger?

The Merger Planning Groups' Reports are now available to the community. These two reports provide a detailed overview of the rationale for the approved merger, immediate next steps, and the overall structure of how DSpace and DSpace-CRIS will merge. To access these reports, see the following links: 

• Strategy Planning Group Report
• Technology Planning Group Report

Additionally, in September 2025, DSpace Governance shared an update about the Planning Groups' work via a community Q+A webinar. The recording of this webinar, which contains additional details about the merger, can be accessed here: 

• Exploring the Potential Merger of DSpace and DSpace-CRIS (Q+A Session)

Next Steps

We look forward to sharing more information with you soon, including ways you can get involved and what to expect in the coming months. In the meantime, please share any concerns, comments, or questions via this new community feedback form. 

With warm regards, 

Erik Moore

DSpace Governance Chair

Head, University Archives

Director, University Digital Conservancy

University of Minnesota Libraries

Erica M. Johns

DSpace Governance Vice Chair

Lead Librarian, eCommons Institutional Repository Services

Cornell University Libraries