AIP Publishing has announced it will conclude its Subscribe to Open (S2O) pilot at the end of 2025 as part of a broader transition toward a unified and sustainable open access strategy. The Subscribe to Open pilot, applied to the Journal of Applied Physics and Physics of Plasmas, was designed to evaluate whether collective library support could sustain open access publishing for established hybrid journals.
Following a comprehensive review, AIP Publishing determined that maintaining multiple overlapping models created unnecessary complexity for authors and librarians. The decision marks a step toward a more streamlined open access approach focused on clarity, sustainability, and scalability.
Launched as a limited pilot, the S2O model allowed libraries to maintain traditional subscriptions while enabling open access to journal content if sufficient renewals were secured. The initiative generated modest increases in manuscript submissions, with both journals recording growth in 2024 compared with 2023. However, the rate of submission growth in 2025 slowed relative to the broader AIP Publishing portfolio. Usage also rose, as open access articles published under S2O received higher readership, though this trend aligned with general patterns across the organization’s hybrid portfolio rather than a distinctive increase unique to the S2O journals.
Financially, the journals met revenue targets for both 2024 and 2025, but some institutions discontinued subscriptions. While the model provided stability, it did not offer a scalable or sustainable path for long-term expansion. Operational costs continued to rise, and the S2O framework did not generate additional growth in submissions, readership, or revenue. AIP Publishing concluded that continuing the pilot would not be the most effective way to serve the research community.
Beginning in 2026, Journal of Applied Physics and Physics of Plasmas will transition into AIP Publishing’s broader open access framework. This shift is intended to simplify participation by consolidating programs such as S2O, Read and Publish, and AIP Fusion into a more cohesive structure. The unified model is designed to reduce administrative complexity and enhance transparency for both authors and libraries.
Authors will retain multiple open access options, including Author Select, institutional agreements under AIP Fusion, and Read and Publish programs. AIP Fusion integrates collaborative and accessible elements from S2O into a single, portfolio-wide framework that supports all AIP Publishing and partner journals.
The decision to conclude the S2O pilot underscores AIP Publishing’s continued commitment to open access. By aligning around scalable institutional models, the organization aims to strengthen equity, sustainability, and community partnership across the global research ecosystem.
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