The Future of Scholarly Publishing working group of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina has published a discussion paper that proposes a new model for funding scientific journals. The aim is free access to research results - without payment barriers for readers and without publication fees for authors.
Diamond open access as a guiding model
The diamond open access model takes centre stage: scientific societies or public institutions operate the journals and receive public funding in return. Funding is provided via an application process, similar to research funding, including regular evaluation to ensure quality and transparency.
Criticism of the commercial publishing system
One of the reasons behind the proposal is criticism of the dominant business models of commercial publishers, which use public funds to generate high profits - for example through subscription fees or article processing charges (APCs). According to the working group, this has solidified monopoly structures that have no positive impact on costs or quality.
Pilot project and international cooperation planned
As a next step, the paper recommends a nationally tendered pilot project and the establishment of an international working group to develop co-financing models.
Further information
- The press release on the Leopoldina discussion paper can be found here: https://www.leopoldina.org/en/press-1/press-releases/press-release/press/3129/
- You can download the document ‘A new concept for the direct funding and evaluation of scientific journals’ as a PDF file at the following link: https://www.leopoldina.org/fileadmin/redaktion/Publikationen/Nationale_Empfehlungen/2025_Leo_Diskussionspapier_zur_Finanzierung_EN.pdf
- The Leopoldina is organising the symposium ‘Zukunft der Finanzierung wissenschaftlicher Publikationen’ (in German) on 2 and 3 June 2025. You can register here: https://www.leopoldina.org/veranstaltungen/veranstaltung/event/3250/