ACS Hybrid and Transformative Journals
Publish open access in any ACS journal
In addition to our range of fully open access journals, authors have the option to publish open access under a Creative Commons license in all ACS journals. Publications which include a combination of subscription access and open access research articles are often referred to as hybrid journals.
Information about open access pricing for our hybrid journals can be found on our open access pricing page.
Transformative journals
Additional publishing options for some Plan S funded researchers
ACS is continuously working with institutions and funders to support author choice, and to forge a sustainable path towards open access.
In addition to direct open access agreements with hundreds of institutions, a number of ACS Publications’ hybrid journals qualify as ‘transformative journals’ under Plan S through December 2024.
What is a transformative journal?
Transformative journals are subscription-access or hybrid publications that have committed to publishing an increasing number of open access articles in line with specific targets, and an eventual transition to 100% open access.
Learn MoreThe main features of a transformative journal include:
- A long-term commitment to becoming fully open access
- Regular, transparent reporting to authors on the performance of their article – including views, downloads, and other usage information
- Advocating the benefits of open access to researchers and institutions
- Full pricing transparency, including reporting on how article processing charges are offset against subscription prices until the journal becomes fully open access
- Providing authors with a range of publication models so they can meet the requirements of their institutions and funders
What does this mean for authors?
Many research funders that have signed up to Plan S will cover the full costs of open access publication in transformative journals. This support is being offered until 31 December 2024.
You can check if your funder is a Plan S signatory, and to what extent they support authors in publishing open access, on the Plan S Implementation Roadmap.
How is progress tracked?
Each of our Transformative Journals is subject to particular annual targets to retain this status. You can find out more about these targets here.
The Transformative Journal program will end on December 31, 2024
cOAlition S will retire their support for the Transformative Journals program as of December 31, 2024. Following this date, all Transformative Journals published by ACS will remain hybrid publications, publishing a combination of open access and subscription content.
ACS remains committed to enabling authors to publish open access in their choice of journal, and will look for ways to continue reporting on the progress of open access across our full portfolio of journals.