Springer Nature has announced the extension of its Transformative Agreements (TAs) to support researchers from over 3700 institutions worldwide. This expansion underscores Springer Nature's steadfast commitment to accelerating the transition to OA, ensuring equitable access to publishing opportunities for researchers irrespective of their location or funding status.
The proliferation of Springer Nature's TAs across six continents represents a pivotal milestone in the quest for universal OA. By facilitating OA publication through these agreements, the publisher empowers researchers to disseminate their findings to a broader audience while streamlining the publishing process for affiliated institutions.
Notable developments in the first quarter of 2024 include the establishment of new agreements across Asia, with Springer Nature's maiden TA in Taiwan marking a significant milestone. Additionally, a novel TA model has been introduced to support smaller institutions in Japan, further broadening access to OA publishing opportunities.
Expansions across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States have also been noteworthy, with agreements established in Malta, Turkey (the largest TA to date), Israel (MALMAD and IUCC), and various consortia in the US, including Carolina Consortium, Lyrasis, NREL, OhioLINK, and VIVA. Notably, Nature and the Nature research journals have entered into new agreements with Australian universities and the Sikt - Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research.
Moreover, Springer Nature commemorates the renewal of its inaugural TA signed with the Netherlands a decade ago, affirming the enduring commitment to fostering OA principles and practices.
Through these agreements, affiliated researchers gain heightened visibility and usage for their OA publications, while their institutions benefit from streamlined OA workflows and amplified reach and impact of research outputs.
Looking ahead, Springer Nature remains dedicated to exploring viable and sustainable pathways to OA for researchers across all disciplines, geographic regions, and funding landscapes. The publisher's unwavering commitment to inclusivity and accessibility underscores its role as a catalyst for positive change in the scholarly publishing landscape.
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