open-access.network 2

The open-access.network 2 project is the continuation of the joint project open-access.network in a second funding phase. The BMBF has been funding the current project since January 2023 until December 2025 (funding code 16KUV013).

In its first funding phase, open-access.network established a central information and networking service for open access – free access to scientific information. In the second funding period, which is now starting, the project is implementing numerous measures to promote the open access transformation. To this end, the project aims, on the one hand, to increase the acceptance of the transformation to an open publication system in science, business, politics and the public. On the other hand, open-access.network aims at the further training of central actors for a successful open access transformation as well as their networking among each other.

In its first funding phase, the open-access.network portal has achieved a high level of awareness and trust within the OA community. In its ongoing activities, the project is using its wide reach to reach all potential participants in the OA transformation through intensive information work. It relies on a mix of proven formats and new offerings: The successful online training and networking formats will be continued and expanded to include new topics related to OA transformation. Among other things, the project strengthens cooperation with scientific societies, smaller scientific institutions, and universities of applied sciences and develops best practices for new approaches to open access funding. In this way, open-access.network addresses scientists in particular, but also management levels at scientific institutions and political actors at the level of the federal states.

The Helmholtz Open Science Office at the GFZ, together with one or two other project partners, is working on the following work packages: "Editorial expansion and consolidation of content", "Helpdesk", "New approaches to open-access funding", "Offers for small institutions and departmental research", "Disciplinary offers in cooperation with scientific societies" and "oa.atlas".