Open Research Europe has reached a pivotal milestone, transitioning from its initial European Commission-led model to a collectively funded platform with a budget approaching €17 million spanning 2026 to 2031. This development positions the service as a cornerstone for equitable, no-fee open access publishing across Europe and beyond, operated by CERN starting in autumn 2026.

Background and Evolution of Open Research Europe

Launched in 2021, Open Research Europe, often abbreviated as ORE, was established by the European Commission to provide Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe beneficiaries with a dedicated venue for rapid publication. The platform emphasizes open peer review, immediate open access, and support for data deposition, all without author-facing fees. Over its first five years, it has served as an innovative alternative to traditional subscription-based journals, aligning with broader European goals for transparent and accessible scholarly communication.

The original framework focused exclusively on researchers funded through EU programmes. This approach helped demonstrate the viability of community-driven publishing models while maintaining rigorous quality standards through transparent review processes. As the platform matured, stakeholders recognized the opportunity to scale its impact by involving national research funders and organizations, thereby extending benefits to a wider pool of authors.

Details of the New Funding Phase and Timeline

The new operational phase, running from 2026 through 2031, carries a total budget of nearly €17 million. The European Commission will contribute up to €10 million, with the remainder supported through collective contributions from participating national entities. Operations under the new model are scheduled to commence in autumn 2026, following a launch event held at CERN in Geneva in March 2026.

This timeline allows for necessary technical transitions, governance adjustments, and outreach efforts to ensure smooth onboarding of expanded user groups. The multi-year funding horizon provides stability, enabling long-term planning for platform enhancements, increased publication capacity, and sustained community engagement.

CERN's Role as Platform Operator

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, has been selected to host and operate the platform during this expanded phase. The choice reflects CERN's longstanding commitment to open science principles and its expertise in managing large-scale scientific infrastructure. CERN Director for Site Operations Mar Capeáns highlighted that hosting Open Research Europe represents a natural extension of the organization's dedication to community-led scientific resources.

Under CERN's stewardship, the platform will maintain its core features while benefiting from robust technical support and integration with broader European research ecosystems. This operational shift supports the move toward a publicly governed, not-for-profit model that prioritizes the public good over commercial interests.

Participating Countries and Expanded Author Eligibility

A consortium of national research organizations and funding agencies from 11 countries will drive the collective funding model. These nations include Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Researchers affiliated with institutions in these countries will gain eligibility to publish on the platform without incurring fees, in addition to those already covered through EU grants.

This expansion significantly broadens access. Previously limited to EU programme beneficiaries, the service now welcomes contributions from a much larger segment of the European research community. The change promotes greater equity by removing financial barriers for authors in participating nations and strengthens the overall European Research Area through shared infrastructure.

Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash

• Austria
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Core Features: No-Fee Publishing and Open Peer Review

Open Research Europe continues to offer completely free publication for eligible authors. The model eliminates article processing charges, aligning with diamond open access principles where neither readers nor authors pay. Submissions undergo open peer review, meaning reviewer comments and author responses are published alongside the final article, fostering transparency and accountability in the evaluation process.

The platform also facilitates data deposition and supports a range of research outputs beyond traditional articles. This comprehensive approach encourages reproducibility and maximizes the utility of publicly funded work. Step-by-step, authors submit manuscripts, undergo review with public visibility, revise as needed, and see their work published rapidly once accepted—all at no cost to them.

Alignment with Diamond Open Access and Broader Initiatives

The initiative aligns closely with the Action Plan for Diamond Open Access, which advocates for community-controlled, non-commercial publishing infrastructures. By evolving into a collectively supported service, Open Research Europe exemplifies the shift toward sustainable, equitable models that prioritize research integrity over profit motives.

Partnerships, including collaboration with the OPERAS research infrastructure, will expand outreach and engagement activities across Europe. These efforts aim to attract eligible authors, build awareness, and integrate the platform more deeply into national research workflows.

Benefits for Researchers and the Scholarly Community

Eligible researchers gain a high-visibility, trusted venue that emphasizes speed, transparency, and accessibility. The no-fee structure removes financial hurdles that can disproportionately affect early-career researchers, those in under-resourced institutions, or scholars from regions with limited funding. Expanded eligibility across 11 countries further democratizes access to quality publishing channels.

For the wider community, the platform contributes to a more diverse and inclusive scholarly record. Publicly funded research becomes immediately available, supporting knowledge transfer, policy development, and innovation. The open peer review process also provides valuable training opportunities for reviewers and promotes constructive dialogue between authors and evaluators.

Implications for the Academic Publishing Landscape

This development signals a maturing ecosystem for alternative publishing models in Europe. As traditional publishers face increasing scrutiny over costs and access, platforms like Open Research Europe demonstrate viable pathways for public investment in scholarly communication. The collective funding approach distributes responsibility while maintaining centralized quality controls and technical excellence under CERN's operation.

Stakeholders anticipate growth in publication volume as awareness spreads and eligibility expands. The model could influence similar initiatives elsewhere, reinforcing trends toward open science and reduced reliance on commercial intermediaries.

Future Outlook and Opportunities for Engagement

Looking ahead to 2031 and beyond, the platform is positioned to support an increasing number of research outputs annually. Continued collaboration among the European Commission, national partners, and CERN will be essential for addressing evolving needs, such as enhanced analytics, multilingual support, or integration with emerging research tools.

Researchers interested in participating can monitor the official platform site for updated eligibility guidelines and submission processes ahead of the autumn 2026 launch. Institutions in participating countries are encouraged to promote the service internally to maximize uptake and impact.

Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash

The transition of Open Research Europe marks a significant step toward a more collaborative and sustainable future for scholarly publishing. By combining substantial funding commitments with operational expertise and expanded reach, the initiative reinforces Europe's leadership in open access and sets a benchmark for equitable research dissemination worldwide.