At SSRN, our mission is to rapidly share preprints and other early-stage research, empowering global scholars to help shape a better future. Today we are announcing an important change that reflects where we believe we can make the greatest contribution to that mission. 

We have decided to focus entirely on SSRN’s core function as a free, world-class preprint platform. As a result, we will be closing our commercial products (Research Paper Series, Sponsored Networks and Site Subscriptions, paid Conference Proceedings, Data Analytics Dashboards, Partners in Publishing, Jobs and Announcements, and Data Feeds) by the end of December 2026. 

This is not a decision we have taken lightly. These products have supported thousands of researchers and institutions over many years, and we are extremely grateful to all our institutional partners. However, running a commercial operation alongside a free research platform has required very tough trade-offs in technology investment, operational focus, and our ability to keep pace with what researchers actually need from a preprint server in 2026. Stepping back from commercial products will allow us to us put everything into what SSRN does best. 

We hope that in the future this will mean  free Research Alert subscriptions, faster posting times, improved CrossRef metadata, stronger transparency through versioning, ORCID integration, and clear links between preprints and published versions. SSRN will remain publisher-neutral and committed to serving researchers across all disciplines. 

What this means for existing customers 

Every existing contract will be honored in full through its term or until December 31, 2026, whichever comes first. Our team will be in touch with each customer directly to talk through the timeline, answer questions, and plan the transition, including any applicable refunds. We will not be onboarding new customers for these commercial products, and automatic renewals will not proceed. 

If you have questions about your contract, data, or transition planning in the meantime, please reach us at ideas@ssrn.com. 

Looking ahead 

SSRN has been part of the research ecosystem for over 25 years. This change is about making sure it will survive and thrive for the next 25. We’d like to thank all our commercial partners for their support for SSRN over the last two decades: we really wouldn’t be here without you. However, we now look forward to building an SSRN that is completely focused on the needs of researchers around the world. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts at ideas@ssrn.com. 

FAQ: 

Why are SSRN’s commercial services being discontinued, and why now? 

The preprint landscape has changed significantly. Expectations around posting speed, licensing, metadata transparency, and discoverability have all increased, and SSRN has had to make difficult trade-offs to maintain commercial products alongside its free platform. Stepping away from our commercial products will allow us to simplify our model and prioritize investing properly in the things that researchers tell us matter the most to them. The timing reflects both the strategic direction set by our parent organization and a genuine belief that now is the right moment to make this shift. 

When will the process be complete? 

We will complete the transition by the end of December 2026. 

Will SSRN continue to operate after the transition? 

Yes. SSRN will continue as a free, world-class preprint platform. Sunsetting our commercial products is about sharpening our focus, not shrinking our ambition. We intend to strengthen SSRN’s platform with faster posting, better licensing options, improved discoverability, and higher research integrity standards. We hope that many of our commercial customers will transition and make full use of our ongoing free services.  

Which services are being discontinued? 

Research Paper Series (RPS), Sponsored Networks and Site Subscriptions, paid Conference Proceedings, Data Analytics Dashboards, Partners in Publishing, Jobs and Announcements, and Data Feeds will all close by the end of December 2026. All existing content will remain permanently archived and accessible. 

What happens to my existing contract? 

All existing contracts will be honored through their term or until December 31, 2026, whichever comes first. A SSRN manager will be in touch to confirm the details for your specific arrangement and to work through the transition with you.