General
Description:
The goal of the “Austrian Transition to Open Access” (AT2OA) project is to support the large-scale transformation of scientific publications from Closed to Open Access, and to implement measures supporting this initiative. AT2OA consists of the following 4 Subprojects:
Project Duration:
01.01.2017 - 31.12.2020
Project Leaders:
Mag. Maria Seissl, University of Vienna, maria.seissl@univie.ac.at
Mag. Brigitte Kromp, University of Vienna, brigitte.kromp@univie.ac.at
Governance:
For the governance of the project please click here.
Publications:
For publications within the framework of AT2OA please click here.
Subproject 1 (TP1): Impact analysis of the transition to Open Access
Description:
TP1-A "Impact analysis of the transition to Open Access"
The subproject will examine if Austria can achieve a complete transition from the existing Subscription (Closed Access) model to Open Access without additional costs. In addition, it will look at how the transition to Open Access may impact information resources budgets, and which institutions may face additional costs, or a reduction in expenditure, as a result of a complete transition to Open Access when compared to the current licensing model.
TP1-B "Open Access Monitoring"
Furthermore, a concept for the monitoring of Open Access publication outputs based on international best practice models will be developed.
Deliverables:
TP1-A "Impact analysis of the transition to Open Access"
- A report analysing the publishing activities of Austrian universities and research institutes, and a possible complete transition to Open Access.
- A report on the potential impact of a complete transition to Open Access on the Austrian universities’ and research institutes’ budgets.
TP1-B "Open Access Monitoring"
- A report analysing the various Open Access monitoring methods. Recommendations on further actions on Open Access Monitoring.
Leader:
TP1-A "Impact analysis of the transition to Open Access"
Mag. Georg Fessler, Vienna University of Economics and Business, georg.fessler@wu.ac.at
Deputy: Mag. Bruno Bauer, Medical University of Vienna, bruno.bauer@meduniwien.ac.at
TP1-B "Open Access Monitoring"
Dipl.-Inf. Patrick Danowski, IST Austria, patrick.danowski@ist.ac.at
MMag. Michael Zojer, Universität Klagenfurt, michael.zojer@aau.at
Publications:
For publications within the framework of Subproject 1 please click here.
Subproject 2 (TP2): Funding for transitional Open Access business models
Description:
Within the framework of the Austrian Academic Library Consortium (Kooperation E-Medien Österreich - KEMÖ), the Austrian university libraries work together with 40 scientific institutions to acquire affordable electronic resources through coordinated procurement. For the last two years, focus has been put on concluding contracts with publishers where the transition from the subscription model to Open Access is as close to cost-neutral as possible.
Thus far, the following three models have either been tested or developed by the libraries:
- Offsetting Deals: These agreements combine subscription fees and the costs of Open Access publishing. In most cases, the hybrid Open Access publication costs (APCs) are deducted from the subscription fees. However, the opposite scenario exists as well, where the payment of the subscription fees leads to a significant reduction of the APCs (approx. 80% reduction). [IOP, Taylor & Francis, SAGE]
- Read & Publish Deals: Agreements wherein a single fee is negotiated with a publisher to access subscription journals as well as publishing Open Access without additional costs. [Springer Compact]
- Switch: This is a model where the publication output of an entire scientific field is fully converted to Open Access. [SCOAP3]
It is envisaged that such transformative agreements will be supported by central means, taking into consideration the findings of the analysis of Subproject 1. Building on experience gleaned from pilot projects, the existing models will be evaluated during the course of the project. The sustainability of these agreements will be given particular attention in the analysis.
Deliverables:
- A report on the cost/benefit analysis on the existing agreements with Open Access components.
- Negotiation of new consortium agreements with Open Access components. Priority will be given to publishers who have established working relationships with most of the project partners.
Leader:
Mag. Brigitte Kromp, University of Vienna, brigitte.kromp@univie.ac.at
Deputy: Dr. Frank Koren-Wilhelmer, University of Graz, frank.koren@uni-graz.at
Publications:
For publications within the framework of Subproject 2 please click here.
Subproject 3 (TP3): Establishment, expansion and financial support for OA publication funds
Description:
Open Access publication funds are necessary for the implementation of Open Access policies and for the targeted support of Open Access publications. Local publication funds have a consolidating role at the institute and can help facilitate the transformation process towards Open Access. The project will therefore promote the establishment and expansion of local publication funds and provide financial support. The aim is to ensure the sustainability of local funds, to increase transparency, and to strategically harmonise key aspects of the funding guidelines.
Deliverables:
- The establishment of an Open Access Publication fund at each institute participating in the TP3 and a coordinated Policy for funding from these funds.
Leader:
Mag. Christof Capellaro, University of Salzburg, christof.capellaro@univie.ac.at
Deputy: Christian Kaier, University of Graz, christian.kaier@uni-graz.at
Publications:
For publications within the framework of Subproject 3 please click here.
Subproject 4 (TP4): Promotion of OA publications and alternative OA publication models
Description:
As a way to counterbalance the market dominance of publishers, the project will initiate alternative publication models at the universities, while support will be provided for such initiatives. For example:
- Stimulus for university- and Austria-wide Open Access initiatives by University Presses and publishing houses associated with universities
- Promotion of Open Access monographs and their quality control
- Supporting the launch of new Open Access journals by University Presses, or the conversion of existing ones
- Support for alternative and innovative Open Access publication models and repositories
- Financial support for the universities’ activities related to Open Access, e.g.: DOAJ, OLH, ArXiv, SSRN...
Deliverables:
- OA publication projects will be initiated at the individual universities and for cooperative projects, and Open Access monographs will be published.
Leader:
Mag. Andreas Ferus, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, a.ferus@akbild.ac.at
Publications:
For publications within the framework of Subproject 4 please click here.