The German-wide DEAL consortium has released a new publication showcasing the significant achievements of its first contract phase with publishers Wiley and Springer Nature. This comprehensive infographic brochure, The First DEAL Agreements 2019-2023: Setting the Path for Open Access and Transparency, offers an in-depth look at the background, objectives, and results of the DEAL initiative, which has been instrumental in advancing open access publishing and the provision of scientific information to German institutions.
Since the inception of the first contract phase in 2019, the DEAL agreements have made substantial progress. The newly published brochure details key figures and developments over the past four to five years, illustrating how the DEAL contracts have successfully met the consortium's objectives.
One of the most notable achievements is the significant increase in open access publications. From 2019 to 2023, more than 105,000 publications from German scientific institutions were published under the DEAL agreements, with 97 percent of these being open access. This impressive accomplishment has resulted in two-thirds of all research output from Germany being freely accessible worldwide—a substantial increase from the 30 percent before the DEAL initiative began.
The brochure also emphasizes the expanded reading opportunities for participating institutions and the reduction in overall costs for scientific publications. This represents a major breakthrough in addressing the rising expenses associated with scientific journals.
With over 500 participating institutions, the DEAL consortium has established a robust community and a vital infrastructure within the German academic and library landscape. The review of the first contract phase highlights not only its considerable achievements but also DEAL's role in enhancing the visibility and reach of German research globally and in promoting a more sustainable scholarly publishing system.
The information brochure is now available online in both German and English, providing valuable insights into the goals and impact of the DEAL agreements for scientists, librarians, policymakers, and other interested parties.
Click here to read the original press release.
