Talk (non-conference) (Invited)

PUBDB-2026-03141

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png openCost: Standardizing Open Access Cost Transparency

Wagner, A. (Corresponding author)DESY*

2026

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-03141

Abstract: The openCost initiative brings transparency to Open Access costs by standardizing how cost data is captured, stored, and exchanged. Starting with journal articles, the area where most funds are currently spent, we model publication costs and link them to individual works. By extending this approach to books, chapters, datasets, and other scientific outputs, openCost will eventually cover all publication types. Introducing contracts as cost-bearing entities enables repositories to evaluate agreements, calculate effective costs per publication, and track essential investments in Open Science infrastructures like DOAJ, DOAB, arXiv, or Diamond OA initiatives. In collaboration with the *Transparency to Sustain Open Science Infrastructure* (TSOSI) project, we adapt the contract model to make funding of these critical services transparent. The upcoming openCost Registry will assign persistent identifiers to all contracts—publishing or infrastructure—enabling seamless referencing. Recognized by Germany’s DFG, openCost offers repositories a practical path to cost transparency: start with articles, leverage contracts for broader use cases, and integrate with the Registry.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Bibliothek und Dokumentation (L)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)457354095 - openCost 2: automatisierte, standardisierte Lieferung und offene Bereitstellung von Publikationskosten und Verlagsvereinbarungen (457354095) (457354095)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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