DEAL - Nationwide licensing agreements for e-journals from major academic publishers (Elsevier, Springer Nature and Wiley).
Negotiations have been and are being held with the three major scientific publishers Elsevier, SpringerNature and Wiley on the Germany-wide licensing of their digitally available journals (e-journals). These talks are taking place as part of the project DEAL, which was commissioned by the Alliance of German Science Organizations, represented by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK). The aim is to relieve the financial burden on individual scientific institutions in Germany and to sustainably improve access to scientific literature on a broad scale. The administration of the University of Bayreuth has supported the negotiations since 2016.
What are the goals of the DEAL-Negotiations?
- Participation of all scientific institutions in Germany, including universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutions (e.g. Max Planck Society, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Society, Helmholtz Association, etc.).
- Full-text access to the entire title portfolio (e-journals) of the selected publishers should be possible. Access to current journal volumes (from 2018) is being negotiated; archives (up to 2017) are not affected.
- The targeted contracts should also include an open access component: All publications by authors (corresponding authors) of the participating scientific institutions are to be automatically published in open access (license: CC-BY), if necessary after a peer review process.
- The costs are to be based on a simple, future-oriented calculation model that is geared to the publication volume of the respective institutions.
Since January 2024, the University of Bayreuth is participating in all three DEAL contracts with Wiley, Springer Nature and Elsevier by decision of the university administration. Details and further information can be found on the official DEAL website: https://deal-konsortium.de/ and below with the respective publisher. .
What is there to be considered for members of the University of Bayreuth?
Elsevier
Latest information on the contract as of 10.01.2024
In its meeting on 19.12.2023, the University Executive Board decided that the University (UBT) would participate in all three DEAL contracts with the publishers Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature (contract years 2024-2028 in each case). As a result, the UB initiated the start of the respective participation processes before the Christmas closure.
In its meeting on 19.12.2023, the University Executive Board decided that the University (UBT) would participate in all three DEAL contracts with the publishers Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature (contract years 2024-2028 in each case). As a result, the UB initiated the start of the respective participation processes before the Christmas closure.
This means that, for the first time after many years without a contract, UBT members will have comprehensive online access to the journal portfolio of Elsevier's journal portfolio (including Cell Press and The Lancet) with access to over 2,500 subscription journals will be available - as well as, of course to the Gold Open Access journals. This also includes perpetual rights (perpetual access) for content published in the years of the UBT contract are also agreed. Elsevier hat activated the access to the portfolio of journals for members of the University of Bayreuth on January 10, 2024.
The contracts also include an open access publishing component:
- UBT authors can publish open access in the more than 1.800 subscription journals (Elsevier "Core Hybrid Journals"). The participation fees to be paid by UBT are based purely on the number of publications within the framework of the newly negotiated so-called paper charge model. For each publication, the UBT is invoiced the respective publish-and-read fee (PAR fee) (initially EUR 2,600 incl. service fee plus VAT for 2024, rising by 3% annually thereafter). For Cell Press titles and The Lancet, the PAR fee for 2024 is EUR 6,550 (incl. service fee plus VAT, increasing by 4% annually thereafter). It does not matter whether the researchers decide to publish in open access or closed access (opt-out), the PAR fee is charged in either case.
- The publication fees for publications in Gold Open Access journals ("Elsevier Fully Open Access") are discounted by 20 % (in Cell Press and Lancet journals by 15 % ) compared to the respective list price.
Further details on the general conditions of the contract can be found at:
https://deal-konsortium.de/en/agreements/elsevier.
https://deal-konsortium.de/en/agreements/elsevier.
In consultation with the University Governing Board, a financing concept has been developed to cover the expected costs for the UBT. In the case of publication in hybrid journals, it was decided that the researchers shall contribute 10% of the respective publication costs. The university management has also decided that participation in the contract should be closely monitored so that participation can be terminated within the contract period if necessary.
General information on the contract as of 05.07.2018
The HRK negotiations with Elsevier have been ongoing since 2016, but no result has been achieved so far. In support of the HRK's negotiating position, around 200 institutions have therefore now cancelled their Elsevier subscriptions and numerous researchers have resigned their editorship of Elsevier journals. The talks are currently suspended, however, and further information on this can be found in the HRK press release.
The HRK negotiations with Elsevier have been ongoing since 2016, but no result has been achieved so far. In support of the HRK's negotiating position, around 200 institutions have therefore now cancelled their Elsevier subscriptions and numerous researchers have resigned their editorship of Elsevier journals. The talks are currently suspended, however, and further information on this can be found in the HRK press release.
The University of Bayreuth terminated the previous contract with Elsevier on 31.12.2017. This means that the University of Bayreuth does not have a valid license agreement for current journal volumes. Access to journal issues from 2018 onwards has been switched off by Elsevier (incl. Cell Press titles). However, issues published until 2017 of journals licensed by the University of Bayreuth to date are still accessible.
The pay-per-view fund for members of the University of Bayreuth to order individual Elsevier articles has been exhausted. There are currently no plans to provide it with new funds. Therefore, please switch to interlibrary loan or alternative sources if needed.
Springer Nature
Latest information on the contract as of 10.01.2024
In its meeting on 19.12.2023, the University Executive Board decided that the University (UBT) would participate in all three DEAL contracts with the publishers Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature (contract years 2024-2028 in each case). As a result, the UB initiated the start of the respective participation processes before the Christmas closure.
In its meeting on 19.12.2023, the University Executive Board decided that the University (UBT) would participate in all three DEAL contracts with the publishers Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature (contract years 2024-2028 in each case). As a result, the UB initiated the start of the respective participation processes before the Christmas closure.
This means that UBT members will continue to have comprehensive online access to Springer Nature's journal portfolio with access to over 2,000 subscription journals (referred to as "Open Choice" at Springer Nature) - and of course to over 500 Open Access journals. This also includes perpetual access to content published during the years of UBT contract participation.
The contracts also include an open access publishing component:
- UBT authors can publish open access in the more than 2.000 subscription journals from Springer Nature. The participation fees to be paid by UBT are based purely on the number of publications within the framework of the newly negotiated so-called paper charge model. For each publication, the UBT is invoiced the respective publish-and-read fee (PAR fee) (initially EUR 2,700 incl. service fee plus VAT for 2024, rising by 3% annually thereafter). It does not matter whether the researchers decide to publish in open access or closed access (opt-out), the PAR fee is charged in either case.
- The publication fees for publications in Gold Open Access journals ("Springer Open" and "BioMed Central") are discounted by 20 % compared to the respective list price.
Further details on the general conditions of the contract can be found at:
https://deal-konsortium.de/en/agreements/springer-nature.
https://deal-konsortium.de/en/agreements/springer-nature.
In consultation with the University Governing Board, a financing concept has been developed to cover the expected costs for the UBT. In the case of publication in hybrid journals, it was decided that the researchers shall contribute 10% of the respective publication costs. The university management has also decided that participation in the contract should be closely monitored so that participation can be terminated within the contract period if necessary.
General information on the contract as of 03.04.2020
Transitional agreements had already been concluded for 2018 and 2019, and a "Memorandum of Understanding" was also signed with Springer Nature on 22.08.2019. On 08.01.2020, the DEAL negotiation group agreed on a corresponding DEAL conclusion with the publisher Springer Nature. This means that - after Wiley - a "Publish & Read" agreement has been reached with another major scientific publisher and the supply of literature for the German research landscape has been significantly improved once again. This is the world's largest open access agreement with a publishing house to date.
Transitional agreements had already been concluded for 2018 and 2019, and a "Memorandum of Understanding" was also signed with Springer Nature on 22.08.2019. On 08.01.2020, the DEAL negotiation group agreed on a corresponding DEAL conclusion with the publisher Springer Nature. This means that - after Wiley - a "Publish & Read" agreement has been reached with another major scientific publisher and the supply of literature for the German research landscape has been significantly improved once again. This is the world's largest open access agreement with a publishing house to date.
Some key points of the contract:
All wholly or predominantly publicly funded universities and research institutions in Germany, in particular universities, universities of applied sciences, state and regional libraries, and other research institutions (e.g., Max Planck Society, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Society, Helmholtz Association) are eligible to participate. The agreement has an initial term of three years (2020 - 2022) and includes the following components in particular:
All wholly or predominantly publicly funded universities and research institutions in Germany, in particular universities, universities of applied sciences, state and regional libraries, and other research institutions (e.g., Max Planck Society, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Society, Helmholtz Association) are eligible to participate. The agreement has an initial term of three years (2020 - 2022) and includes the following components in particular:
- Permanent full-text access to the entire portfolio of around 1,900 electronic journals from Springer Nature. This also includes all journals from Palgrave, Adis Springer Medical and MacMillan Academic. Not included, however, are all Nature journals or magazines (such as Spektrum der Wissenschaft or Scientific American). The included journal titles can be found in the complete title list. During the contract period, all participating institutions are additionally granted backfile access to the journals back to the year of publication 1997.
- Publication of articles in open access for all "submitting corresponding authors" of the eligible institutions in Springer Nature journals (a total of around 13,000 articles per year in Germany). Publication is usually under a CC-BY license and can take place both in subscription journals (approx. 1,300 titles) and in original (gold) OA journals (approx. 600 titles).
What does this mean for the scientists at the University of Bayreuth?
The university management of the University of Bayreuth has supported the DEAL project from the beginning; the University of Bayreuth therefore participates - as do many other universities - in this agreement with Springer Nature.
The university management of the University of Bayreuth has supported the DEAL project from the beginning; the University of Bayreuth therefore participates - as do many other universities - in this agreement with Springer Nature.
Access to Springer Nature journals
Under the DEAL agreement, access to all 1,900 Springer Nature journals is unlocked. This also concerns the archive rights back to 1997. The correct indexing in the UB catalog and in the EZB will take place in the next few weeks.
Under the DEAL agreement, access to all 1,900 Springer Nature journals is unlocked. This also concerns the archive rights back to 1997. The correct indexing in the UB catalog and in the EZB will take place in the next few weeks.
Open Access publication of articles in Springer Nature journals
Open Access publication fees for publication in subscription journals are invoiced centrally to the participating institution. The fees for publication in Gold Open Access journals are discounted by 20% compared to the list price within the framework of the contract. These are also invoiced centrally to the respective institutions once per year. The same funding conditions apply to Fully Open Access articles as to Gold Open Access articles from other publishers. Therefore, we ask you to contact the OA team of the University Library (UB) (oa@uni-bayreuth.de) in advance of a planned publication in a Gold Open Access journal.
Authors can decide for themselves whether they want to publish open access or not. However, publication in "closed access" does not reduce costs and is therefore not recommended. The identification of eligible "corresponding authors" in the open access publication of their articles is carried out by Springer Nature as part of the article submission process. This requires in particular the specification of the participating institution of the "corresponding author". In order to clearly identify the affiliation with the University of Bayreuth, it is also necessary to ensure that the affiliation ("University of Bayreuth"), the e-mail domain "uni-bayreuth.de" and/or the upload of the article from the IP range of the University of Bayreuth are correctly specified. Further information on the submission process can be found directly from the publisher and in this guide for authors.
Submission of articles is possible in the Gold Open Access journals from 01.08.2020 onward and in the subscription journals since 01.01.2020. Hereby the date of acceptance of the manuscript for publication by SpringerNature is decisive.
Information on the conclusion of the contract can also be found in the HRK press release dated 09.01.2020.
The full text of the agreement was published online on 17.02.2020.
The full text of the agreement was published online on 17.02.2020.
Wiley
Latest information on the contract as of 10.01.2024
In its meeting on 19.12.2023, the University Executive Board decided that the University (UBT) would participate in all three DEAL contracts with the publishers Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature (contract years 2024-2028 in each case). As a result, the UB initiated the start of the respective participation processes before the Christmas closure.
In its meeting on 19.12.2023, the University Executive Board decided that the University (UBT) would participate in all three DEAL contracts with the publishers Elsevier, Wiley and Springer Nature (contract years 2024-2028 in each case). As a result, the UB initiated the start of the respective participation processes before the Christmas closure.
This means that UBT members will continue to have comprehensive online access to the journal portfolio of the publisher Wiley with access to over 1,300 subscription journals (referred to as "Hybrid Open Access" at Wiley) - and of course to over 600 Open Access journals. This also includes perpetual access to content published during the years of UBT contract participation.
The contracts also include an open access publishing component:
- UBT authors can publish open access in the more than 1.300 subscription journals from Wiley. The participation fees to be paid by UBT are based purely on the number of publications within the framework of the newly negotiated so-called paper charge model. For each publication, the UBT is invoiced the respective publish-and-read fee (PAR fee). It does not matter whether the researchers decide to publish in open access or closed access (opt-out), the PAR fee is charged in either case. At Wiley, subscription journals are grouped into 3 tiers, for which different PAR fees apply (EUR 2,300, EUR 2,800 or EUR 3,250, incl. service fee plus VAT in each case).
- The publication fees for publications in Wiley Gold Open Access journals are discounted by 20 % compared to the respective list price.
Further details on the general conditions of the contract can be found at:
https://deal-konsortium.de/en/agreements/wiley.
https://deal-konsortium.de/en/agreements/wiley.
In consultation with the University Governing Board, a financing concept has been developed to cover the expected costs for the UBT. In the case of publication in hybrid journals, it was decided that the researchers shall contribute 10% of the respective publication costs. The university management has also decided that participation in the contract should be closely monitored so that participation can be terminated within the contract period if necessary.
Information on the contract as of 22.01.2023
The original contract with Wiley (2019-2021) was extended for a fourth year (contract year 2022) on the same terms and conditions. By now, contract negotiations between the DEAL group and Wiley have also been successfully concluded for a fifth year (contract year 2023). The University of Bayreuth is participating in this extension for 2023 in accordance with the University Governing Board.
However, this will involve an adjustment to the cost distribution model. The new cost distribution model includes two core elements, pre-payment and post-payment, which are defined as follows:
The original contract with Wiley (2019-2021) was extended for a fourth year (contract year 2022) on the same terms and conditions. By now, contract negotiations between the DEAL group and Wiley have also been successfully concluded for a fifth year (contract year 2023). The University of Bayreuth is participating in this extension for 2023 in accordance with the University Governing Board.
However, this will involve an adjustment to the cost distribution model. The new cost distribution model includes two core elements, pre-payment and post-payment, which are defined as follows:
- The pre-payment amounts to 105% of the subscription costs of 2017. The pre-payment is a fixed amount that has to be paid by all participating institutions.
- The post-payment for the year 2023, on the other hand, is only incurred if the publication based costs of an institution are higher than the pre-payment already paid by said institution. The publication based costs of an institution are calculated based on the total number of papers published by researchers of the respective institution in Wiley hybrid journals in 2023 multiplied by the article flat charge of 3,273 EUR. If a post-payment becomes due, due to the publication based costs exceeding the pre-payment, the institution in question will then have to pay an additional 35% of the difference between the publication based costs and the pre-payment amount in the following year 2024.
Currently the UB assumes that (based on the Wiley publication data of the past years) a post-payment will be due for the publications of the year 2023. This post-payment would be charged at the beginning of 2024. In the most recent meeting of the Presidential Advisory Committee for Matters of the University Library (Library Committee) on 21st November 2022, the following financing model was therefore decided:
- The UB covers the costs of the pre-payment from its acquisition budget.
- The UB will inform the researchers during the year as soon as the number of publications is so high that a post-payment will be due in 2024.
- Depending on the amount of the post-payment due and the (library) budget situation, a centrally managed solution for its settlement is conceivable. However, depending on further developments, a proportional allocation to the publishing chairs cannot be ruled out.
Please note: This agreement only applies to the DEAL contract with Wiley and only to those publications that are published in a Wiley hybrid journal in 2023. For the year 2024, the contract will have to be renegotiated. The DEAL contract with Springer Nature will continue in 2023 under the existing terms and conditions.
General information on the contract as of 16.07.2019
The DEAL negotiation group and the publisher Wiley have agreed on a nationwide, publication-based model for Germany (Publish & Access). This first conclusion of a contract with a large, international academic publisher will significantly improve the supply of literature for researchers in Germany. All completely or mainly publicly funded universities and research institutions in the country, in particular universities, universities of applied sciences, state and regional libraries as well as other research institutions (e.g. Max Planck Society, Leibniz Association, Helmholtz Association) are eligible to participate. The following components of the three-year agreement (2019 - 2021) are particularly relevant:
The DEAL negotiation group and the publisher Wiley have agreed on a nationwide, publication-based model for Germany (Publish & Access). This first conclusion of a contract with a large, international academic publisher will significantly improve the supply of literature for researchers in Germany. All completely or mainly publicly funded universities and research institutions in the country, in particular universities, universities of applied sciences, state and regional libraries as well as other research institutions (e.g. Max Planck Society, Leibniz Association, Helmholtz Association) are eligible to participate. The following components of the three-year agreement (2019 - 2021) are particularly relevant:
- Perpetual access to Wiley's entire portfolio of approximately 1,700 electronic journals
This includes permanent archive rights back to 1997. - Open access publication of articles for all submitting corresponding authors of the participating institutions in Wiley journals (approx. 9,500 articles per year in Germany)
The articles are usually published under a CC-BY license in genuine (Gold) Open Access journals (approx. 140 titles) as well as in subscription journals (approx. 1,440 titles). At present, it is not possible to publish open access in any of the approx. 90 Wiley journals.
It was agreed on a "Publish & Access model" which includes the open access publication of articles as well as the access to all subscription journals. For each participating institution, an individual fee is calculated based on previous license payments and the respective volume of publications. It covers the access to all subscription journals and the open access publication of articles. In addition, there are article processing charges (APCs) for genuine open access journals at a reduced price.
What does this mean for researchers at the University of Bayreuth?
The University of Bayreuth has supported the DEAL project from the beginning; therefore the University of Bayreuth intends to participate in this agreement.
The University of Bayreuth has supported the DEAL project from the beginning; therefore the University of Bayreuth intends to participate in this agreement.
Access to Wiley journals
Access to journals previously licensed by the University of Bayreuth will remain unchanged. In addition, some previously not accessible Wiley journals will be made available. As part of a transition scenario (until all contracts have been signed), all currently available Wiley journals have been accessible since 23rd January 2019. They will be recorded accordingly in the Bayreuth University Library Catalogue and the Electronic Journals Library within the next few weeks.
Access to journals previously licensed by the University of Bayreuth will remain unchanged. In addition, some previously not accessible Wiley journals will be made available. As part of a transition scenario (until all contracts have been signed), all currently available Wiley journals have been accessible since 23rd January 2019. They will be recorded accordingly in the Bayreuth University Library Catalogue and the Electronic Journals Library within the next few weeks.
Publishing open access in Wiley journals
Open access publication costs for articles in subscription journals are covered by the DEAL contract and are therefore no longer charged separately. The APCs for publication in Gold Open Access journals are subject to a 20% discount. These fees are invoiced centrally to the respective institutions once a year. Please note that the same funding conditions apply to fully Open Access articles within the framework of Project DEAL as for Gold Open Access articles from other publishers. Therefore, we kindly ask you to contact the Open Access Team of the University Library (UB) (oa@uni-bayreuth.de) in advance of a planned publication in a Gold Open Access journal.
Open access publication costs for articles in subscription journals are covered by the DEAL contract and are therefore no longer charged separately. The APCs for publication in Gold Open Access journals are subject to a 20% discount. These fees are invoiced centrally to the respective institutions once a year. Please note that the same funding conditions apply to fully Open Access articles within the framework of Project DEAL as for Gold Open Access articles from other publishers. Therefore, we kindly ask you to contact the Open Access Team of the University Library (UB) (oa@uni-bayreuth.de) in advance of a planned publication in a Gold Open Access journal.
Authors can decide whether they wish to publish open access or not. However, ‘closed access’ publication does not reduce costs and is therefore not recommended. Thus, the standard for submitting an article to Wiley is open access. Wiley identifies the corresponding authors who are entitled to publish their articles open access in the course of the submission process. This requires the selection of the corresponding author's institution from a standardised list. In order to clearly attribute a publication to the University of Bayreuth, it is crucial that the affiliation ("University of Bayreuth") as well as the e-mail domain "uni-bayreuth.de" are entered correctly and/or that the article is uploaded from within the IP range of the University of Bayreuth.
Articles for Wiley’s Gold Open Access journals can be submitted from 22nd January 2019 and for the publisher’s subscription journals from 1st July 2019. In both cases they date of acceptance for publication by Wiley is crucial.
Further information on the agreement with Wiley can be found in the HRK press release from 15th January 2019. The complete text of the contract was published on 18th February 2019.
If you have questions concerning Projekt DEAL please contact