Cambridge University Press and the Max Planck Society have introduced a book sales agreement that combines evidence-based acquisition with open access funding to increase open access publishing and simplify processes for authors.
The organizations stated that pairing open access with evidence-based acquisition allows the institution to decide how to allocate its budget while reducing funding and administrative burdens for authors publishing open access. They added that the agreement’s flexibility will allow annual tailoring to user needs so the Max Planck Society can align the model with evolving researcher requirements.
Cambridge characterized the arrangement as its first of this kind and described it as a bespoke sales and publishing model designed to make open access more affordable and accessible while maintaining access to high-quality books and Elements for readers worldwide. Both parties underscored collaboration to expand open access book publishing, provide better support for authors, and sustain ebook access.
Under the model, new Cambridge University Press books authored by researchers at Max Planck Institutes will be eligible for open access publication. Backlist titles may be converted to open access on a case-by-case basis, and Max Planck researchers will have unlimited access to books on Cambridge Core.
The Max Planck Digital Library reported that the agreement followed an open and transparent negotiation process and added it would help authors access relevant Cambridge books and Elements and publish their books open access with the Press, reflecting a longstanding commitment to open access and supporting the global reach and impact of its researchers.
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