Open Access contracts

The DFG defines transformation contracts in its call for proposals for open access transformation contracts as follows:

 "The scientific publishing system is undergoing a process of transformation. The aim of this process is to establish open access to research results as the standard. New business models are being used for publication. One of these business models is that previously subscription-based, licensable journals or e-book packages are being converted to open access and financed via article or book processing charges. This conversion can be achieved via contracts between consortia or information supply institutions and publishers. Such contracts, which aim to change the publication mode of journals or books and the financing structure of these journals or books, are transformation contracts.

Transformation contracts are characterized by the following aspects: they increase the number of publications available in open access and do not merely offset the fees for articles already published in this mode. In addition, they indicate that there is a publishing strategy to completely convert the publication organs to open access. They therefore aim to ensure that the amount to be paid by licensees is calculated in the future on the basis of the open access publications covered by the agreement. As a result, payments for subscriptions will continuously decrease and eventually cease. The open access fees are also calculated in a comprehensible manner."
 
In addition to these contracts, there are a number of other Open Access journals. Dedicated search tools are available to assist you in your search.

The following transformation agreements have been concluded at TU Clausthal to date: