26 November 2019: In line with the Plan S implementation guidelines released earlier this year, cOAlition S has developed a framework for transformative journals. We are now seeking input from the community on this draft framework and encourage all interested stakeholders to respond.

A transformative journal is one where the share of Open Access content is gradually increased, where subscription costs are offset by income from payments for publishing services (to avoid double payments), and where the journal has a clear commitment to transition to full Open Access in an agreed timeframe.

The draft guidance now makes clear that to be considered as transformative a journal must demonstrate an annual increase in the Open Access penetration rate of at least 8 percent points year-on-year and either commit to transition to full Open Access by 31st December 2024 or when the Open Access penetration rate has passed 50%.

John-Arne Røttingen, Chief Executive of the Research Council of Norway and co-Chair of the Plan S Implementation Task Force, commented: “The framework has been established to encourage subscription journals to develop a Plan-S compliant publishing option in a way that deliver on their voiced commitments to transition to full OA”.

Johan Rooryck, OA Champion for cOAlition S added: “The Transformative Journal framework demonstrates our interest in developing a range of options by which publishers can continue to provide services to researchers supported by Plan S-aligned funders".

The consultation on this draft framework is open until 09.00 CET on Monday 6th January 2020.

We plan to publish a final version of this framework by the end of March 2020.