In a groundbreaking initiative to promote open-access publishing, over 100 German universities and research institutions have entered a national agreement with MDPI. Negotiated by ZB MED, the agreement will take effect on January 1, 2025, and remain valid through the end of 2026. Institutions can join the consortium until the start of 2025, reflecting the high demand for cost-effective and accessible open-access solutions among German researchers.
This collaboration aims to simplify the publication process and make Gold Open Access publishing more affordable for German researchers. Key features of the agreement include significant discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs) for authors affiliated with participating institutions, flexible payment options (such as centralized invoicing or individual payments), and a flat-fee model that streamlines expense planning and optimizes library budgets.
“MDPI can look back on over a decade of successful partnerships with German research institutions,” said Peter Roth, MDPI Head of Publishing. “This agreement signifies another milestone in our collaboration, showcasing our commitment to innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of scientific institutions and foster open research.”
Petra Labriga, Head of Strategic License Management at ZB MED, highlighted the impact of the agreement: “MDPI’s role as a leading Gold OA publisher is central to the German publishing landscape. We are particularly proud to have secured significant cost savings for institutions and their researchers on a national level.”
Adrian Stefan Zamfir, MDPI Institutional Partnership Manager for the DACH region, expressed gratitude for the collaboration: “We are thrilled that this agreement will expand access to MDPI’s reliable publication platform for even more researchers in Germany.”
This partnership not only reinforces MDPI’s long-standing relationship with the German scientific community but also strengthens the shared commitment to advancing open access and supporting the global visibility of German research excellence.