BioOne, a leading non-profit aggregator in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences, has announced the initial group of publishing partners for its 2026 Subscribe to Open (S2O) pilot. So far, 20 titles from 13 societies, museums, and independent presses have confirmed their participation. Up to 50 additional titles are eligible to join throughout the 2024 signup period, representing a significant step toward broadening equitable access to critical scientific content while maintaining a sustainable revenue stream for independent journal publishers.
The S2O model, which BioOne is piloting, aims to transition subscription-based journals to open access. This innovative approach depends on ongoing subscription renewals to open content freely for all. BioOne’s commitment to this model is demonstrated by the enthusiastic response from its early publishing partners.
A current list of S2O pilot publishers and their associated titles is available on the BioOne website. This list will be continuously updated with new additions throughout 2024. The final list of participants will be shared with the library community in early 2025, ahead of the 2026 pilot term start.
BioOne's S2O pilot represents a forward-thinking approach to scholarly publishing, balancing the need for open access with the financial realities faced by independent publishers. By fostering a collaborative environment among societies, museums, and presses, BioOne aims to set a precedent for the future of scientific publishing.
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