Karger Publishers has announced the expansion of its innovative Subscribe to Open (S2O) pilot program, set to include two additional journals in 2025. This move underscores Karger's commitment to its 'Open for Open' approach, broadening the availability of open access (OA) content across diverse scientific fields.
Entering its third year, the S2O program will now encompass the journals European Addiction Research and Neurodegenerative Diseases. By integrating these journals into the S2O model, Karger aims to enhance the accessibility of high-quality research, ensuring that findings in these critical areas are freely available to the global scientific community without the financial barriers typically associated with Article Processing Charges (APCs) or funding constraints.
Karger's decision to utilize the S2O model reflects a strategic choice to maintain immediate open access while minimizing disruptions for both authors and subscribers. Unlike the Gold OA model, which relies on APCs, the S2O approach converts subscription-based journals to open access by securing a certain number of subscriptions. This model guarantees financial stability for the journals while providing free and immediate online access to their content.
The S2O model offers flexibility, allowing journals to toggle between hybrid (subscription-based with an optional paid OA) and full OA, depending on subscription targets. In 2023, both Developmental Neuroscience and Pediatric Neurosurgery successfully transitioned to OA by meeting their subscription goals. However, in 2024, only one journal achieved this milestone, highlighting the dynamic nature of the S2O approach.
By expanding the S2O pilot, Karger continues to support authors with the benefits of OA, such as increased visibility and compliance with OA mandates, without imposing additional costs on them. This initiative reflects Karger's recognition that there is no universal solution to OA publishing and its dedication to exploring sustainable methods to expand OA opportunities.
Karger's 'Open for Open' strategy is pivotal in its ongoing efforts to make scientific research more accessible and impactful. The publisher is actively seeking innovative ways to enhance OA publishing, ensuring that it remains a viable and beneficial option for all stakeholders involved.
Click here to read the original press release.
