In September 2018, a transformative initiative known as Plan S took shape, driven by a coalition of national research funding organizations and backed by the European Commission. This visionary collective, cOAlition S, embarked on a mission to make research publications openly accessible to all, with the adoption of ten key principles designed to catalyze the rapid transition to full and immediate Open Access. While the policies and tools to support Plan S were primarily implemented in 2021, the impact of these initiatives will continue to unfold over several years.
Over this five-year period, cOAlition S has evolved from a small group of around a dozen funders to a global network of 28 funding organizations. This growth extends beyond Europe, encompassing agencies from the United States, Australia, South Africa, and other regions. This expansion has had a ripple effect, prompting non-cOAlition S funders worldwide to align their policies more closely with the principles of Plan S. This alignment has been particularly evident in countries like the United States, Canada, India, Germany, and beyond.
Governments worldwide have also become more vocal about the importance of Open Access to research results, as highlighted by the European Council Conclusions and the G7 Science and Technology Ministers' declaration in May. Plan S and cOAlition S have played a pivotal role in fostering a global consensus among research funding agencies regarding the priority of Open Access.
In parallel, publishers have shifted their approach, recognizing that the question is no longer whether to transition to Open Access but how to do it effectively. Some publishers have adjusted their policies to align with Plan S principles, while others explore innovative models such as Subscribe to Open, Diamond Open Access, and non-APC models.
The Open Access landscape has been navigated with flexibility, accommodating various routes. Whether through full Open Access journals, titles under Transformative Arrangements, or depositing the Accepted Manuscript in a repository, cOAlition S supports diverse pathways to compliance. To assist authors in selecting compliant publishing options, the Journal Checker Tool (JCT) was developed, serving approximately 3,000 users monthly. Additionally, cOAlition S introduced the Rights Retention strategy in support of the Repository Route.
Recognizing the need for price transparency, cOAlition S designed the Journal Comparison Service (JCS), an online platform helping users assess the fairness and reasonableness of publishing service costs.
To promote equity in Open Access, cOAlition S decided to end financial support for Transformative Arrangements due to low transformation rates. Instead, the focus now shifts to innovative and community-driven Open Access publishing initiatives. Collaborating with international organizations, cOAlition S is actively involved in projects like DIAMAS and CRAFT-OA, working toward Diamond Open Access. Furthermore, the organization is part of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) to encourage research assessment exercises to move away from journal metrics and better value Open Access publishing.
Looking ahead, the mission under Plan S is far from complete. The aim is to accelerate Open Access and promote greater equity. To achieve this, a proposal titled "Towards Responsible Publishing" is under development, seeking to establish a community-based communication system for open science in the 21st century. The plan is to release this proposal within two months and engage in extensive consultations with the research community. Additionally, an independent review of Plan S's contribution to the Open Access publishing landscape will be commissioned.
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of Plan S, a webinar on November 2, 2023, will reflect on the journey so far and discuss the future of scholarly communication. All stakeholders are invited to participate in shaping the future of Open Access.
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