Springer Nature has released its fifth Open Access (OA) report, showing that transformative agreements (TAs) remain a central driver of the global transition to OA publishing. The publisher reported a 12 percent increase in OA publishing through TAs in 2025, alongside 19 new and 17 renewed agreements. With 101 agreements now in place, Springer Nature supports researchers at more than 4,400 institutions worldwide in publishing OA.
Although TAs were first introduced a decade ago, their scale and uptake have grown significantly in recent years. More than half of all Springer Nature TA‑funded articles—over 165,000—have been published in the past three years, underscoring sustained demand for this model.
The report also highlights how Springer Nature’s OA strategy is increasing visibility, reach, and impact. Researchers publishing full OA with the publisher continue to benefit from high usage, with an average of 7.6 citations per article, a 21 percent increase compared to the previous year. Downloads of OA content rose 48 percent across low‑ and middle‑income countries, extending access to knowledge globally. Data further shows that OA articles are cited in policy nearly a year earlier than non‑OA research, accelerating the translation of evidence into decision‑making.
The full report, along with previous editions, is available alongside Springer Nature’s Annual Report, reflecting the company’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and support for researchers during the transition to open research.
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