Germany is taking a significant step forward in supporting open science, with over 100 universities and research institutions joining forces in a new national open-access agreement with MDPI. The collaboration, facilitated by ZB MED – Information Centre for Life Sciences, is set to begin on January 1, 2025, and will run through 2026. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the accessibility of scientific research while streamlining the publication process for researchers.
The agreement is designed to make gold open-access publishing more affordable and efficient. It includes substantial discounts on article processing charges (APCs) and offers flexible payment models, such as centralized invoicing and individual payment options. A flat-fee structure will allow participating institutions to manage their expenses more effectively, optimizing library budgets while reducing administrative burdens.
MDPI, a pioneer in open-access publishing since 1996, operates over 440 journals spanning a variety of disciplines. The publisher has long championed making scientific knowledge freely accessible, a mission that aligns perfectly with Germany’s commitment to advancing open science.
“This agreement reflects more than a decade of successful partnerships with German research institutions,” said Peter Roth, MDPI’s Head of Publishing. “It underscores our commitment to innovative solutions that support researchers and promote open research worldwide.”
The partnership not only benefits institutions financially but also seeks to increase the global visibility of German scientific contributions. By enabling more researchers to publish their work openly, the agreement aims to foster greater collaboration and knowledge sharing across disciplines.
Petra Labriga, Head of Strategic License Management at ZB MED, emphasized the significance of the collaboration: “MDPI plays a central role in the German publishing landscape as one of the world’s leading Gold OA publishers. We are particularly pleased to achieve considerable cost savings for institutions and authors through our negotiations.”
For researchers, the deal offers a reliable and efficient platform to disseminate their findings. Adrian Stefan Zamfir, MDPI’s Institutional Partnership Manager for the DACH region, praised the teamwork involved in finalizing the agreement: “We are delighted that this collaboration will provide even more researchers in Germany access to our tried-and-tested publication platform.”
Institutions still have the opportunity to join the consortium until early 2025, ensuring that a wide array of German academic bodies can benefit from the arrangement. This partnership marks another milestone in the global movement toward open access, positioning Germany as a leader in the field.
As the January 2025 launch date approaches, this agreement is a reminder of the shared responsibility within the academic community to ensure that knowledge is both accessible and impactful. By reducing barriers to publication, fostering financial sustainability, and amplifying the reach of scientific research, the MDPI and ZB MED collaboration sets a precedent for how countries can support open science at a national level.
