In a significant move towards advancing open access to research, five prominent National Laboratories in the United States have secured transformative agreements with IOP Publishing (IOPP). Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are now part of a growing cohort of institutions championing open access to scientific knowledge.
Transformative agreements represent a paradigm shift in scholarly publishing, enabling researchers affiliated with these esteemed research labs to publish their work openly and free of costs. Under these agreements, the institutions cover the associated expenses, eliminating financial barriers and facilitating wider dissemination of research findings. This fosters collaboration and accelerates scientific progress within the global scientific community.
The surge in interest in open access publishing in North America is evident, with an increasing number of institutions opting for transformative agreements with IOPP. At the start of 2022, 47 institutions had established such agreements with IOPP. Today, that number exceeds 300, reflecting a growing recognition of the benefits of open access publishing.
In 2023 alone, IOPP published over 1000 open access articles from North American institutions with transformative agreements, marking a remarkable 380% growth compared to the previous year. This trend underscores the widespread acceptance of open access publishing among researchers, funders, and institutions alike.
The advantages of publishing open access are manifold. Open access articles enjoy greater visibility, with data from IOPP indicating that they are downloaded 70% more frequently than paywalled articles and cited 15% more frequently. This increased visibility enhances the impact and reach of research findings, driving scientific progress and innovation.
IOP Publishing remains committed to expanding open access initiatives in North America, with 25 new transformative agreements already signed this year. Currently, IOPP has transformative agreements in place with more than 1000 institutions across 34 countries, further solidifying its position as a global leader in advancing open access to research.
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