The Lorraine Model

Abstract

In 2017, the University of Lorraine cancelled its subscription to Springer and in 2023, it cancelled its deal with Wiley. The money saved has been channeled into an Open Science Fund which supports open research infrastructures, training and support programmes for open research, and diamond open access publishing. With additional financing from regional research institutes and the national ministry, its annual budget currently amounts to approximately 500,000 Euros. A broad representative committee has been set up to decide on the use of the fund. The support for diamond open access journals – whose editors are affiliated with Université de Lorraine or whose scope is especially important for the Lorraine region – typically entails support in the range of 2000 Euros per year. With this money, editors of small and medium-sized scholar-led journals can hire copy-editing assistance, arrange editorial board meetings and workshop, et cetera. As Vice-President for Open Science at the University, Nicolas Fressengeas stresses the importance of involving the right stakeholders within and around the university to make the best possible use of the Open Science Fund. He is also concerned with research assessment reforms aiming to assure that the extra work required to follow open research practices is properly rewarded. As Head of Research Support at the University Library, Jean-François Lutz argues that the consequences for researchers and students as a result of the cancellation of the Springer and Wiley deals were less acutely felt than one might have expected. The responsibility of supporting open science may be a new challenge to most librarians, but it does make the library relevant and useful for a broad group of researchers, many of whom would not have been in contact with the library if it wasn’t for the Open Science Fund and the services and projects associated with it. The episode was recorded shortly after Norway cancelled its deal with Wiley and will likely serve as inspiration for many institutions that wish to channel money saved on big deals into support for Open Science.