SCOAP3 has opened submissions for the 2026 SCOAP3 Books Program, inviting publishers to apply for open access funding for books in high-energy physics. Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2026, with each book entered separately through the program’s application form.
Eligible titles must have successfully completed peer review and be scheduled for publication within the next 18 months. The program supports the open access publication of scholarly monographs and textbooks, expanding global access to key resources in particle physics and neighboring disciplines.
The SCOAP3 Books initiative was launched as a pilot project following a May 2019 decision by the SCOAP3 Governing Council to transition key textbooks and monographs in particle physics to open access. The pilot phase ran from May 2021 to November 2022 and converted more than 90 books to open access with financial support from over 60 institutions worldwide.
Following the pilot’s completion, the SCOAP3 Governing Council established a recurring books program beginning in 2023. The program prioritizes newly published titles selected through a review process involving international subject experts. Each year, the initiative supports the open access publication of approximately 10 to 15 new books.
Usage data analysis conducted in summer 2025 examined the reach and performance of SCOAP3 Books using data from the OAPEN platform, where all volumes in the project are hosted. The analysis reported strong growth in readership and engagement across the collection.
Average usage per individual book increased by a factor of 5.7 between 2021 and 2024, suggesting growing awareness of the project within the academic community and continued refinement in the selection of titles.
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