Free access to research: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern invests in Open Access

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has adopted an open access strategy for science and research and presented it on Tuesday. The aim is to make research results from universities openly accessible. “Free access to scientific research results is the prerequisite for effective collaboration in research,” says Science Minister Bettina Martin.

Although the Internet basically enables comprehensive free access to information worldwide, many scientific publications remain behind paywalls, the state's Ministry of Science criticizes. This happens even if public funds have been used for the research projects on which the publications are based. The state's Open Access strategy aims to pave the way for the unhindered exchange of information.

Advice and funding

The Ministry names state-wide advisory structures and the promotion of Open Access models as central elements of the Open Access Strategy MV. The ministry intends to provide half a million euros for this purpose; the universities of Greifswald and Rostock are to receive an additional quarter of a million each.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is not alone in its efforts to promote open access to scientific information. Each federal state has taken up the issue to varying degrees in recent years. The association open-access.network e.V., which is dedicated to strengthening open access in science, presents the activities of the federal states in its state dossiers.

(dgi)