Executive summary
This report highlights how TAs are enabling a global shift towards OA, offering significant benefits to institutions, researchers, and the broader academic community. In particular, the three case studies from the USA, South Africa, and Slovenia show how partners at different stages of the OA transition can benefit from TAs.
TAs increase OA publications
In 2023 alone, over 44,000 OA articles were published under 44 Springer Nature TAs—a 46% increase from 2015-2023. Several countries with TAs have achieved OA shares exceeding 90%.5
TAs not only sustain long-term OA growth but also have an immediate impact on OA publication. South Africa, for example, increased from 10% to 78% OA publications by eligible researchers in its first year of having a TA.6
TAs provide increased access to subscription content for researchers
In the case studies presented here, usage of subscription content by affiliated researchers under TAs (“read” access) increased by as much as 24% in the first year of the agreement.7
TAs enable access to quality research for all
Approximately 70% of the usage from OA articles under Springer Nature’s TAs comes from anonymous users (originating from an IP address range not associated with a subscribing university), indicating a broader and more diverse readership.8
TAs make OA easier for researchers
TAs enable researchers to publish in their journals of choice without worrying about access to funds. This ensures compliance with OA policies and maximises the benefits of gold OA, including increased usage, citations, and Altmetric attention.9
TAs manage costs
TAs offer a practical solution for institutions to transition subscription costs to OA, offering cost management and driving cost avoidance.10
TAs improve administration of OA
Springer Nature’s administrative tools, including a consortium dashboard and individualised reporting, reduce the administrative burden on library staff while creating transparency on OA output.11
TAs support institutional goals
TAs play a crucial role in enhancing the visibility, reach, and impact of an institution’s research, supporting organisational OA goals and providing member institutions with the momentum to grow OA for content related to the Sustainable Development Goals.12
TAs increase equity
TAs benefit researchers from lower research-intensive institutions, disciplines like the humanities and social sciences (HSS), and early-career researchers.
In the Slovenia and South Africa case studies presented here, OA uptake in HSS has increased by over 600% and 800% respectively, since the introduction of TAs. Overall, 2023 saw a 36% uptake in OA by HSS researchers across Springer Nature TAs.13
This report underscores that TAs represent a practical and effective pathway to achieving global OA for a diverse range of partners.
By pooling resources, adapting to local contexts, and fostering collaboration, TAs are making significant strides toward a future where all research is accessible to everyone, regardless of location or institutional affiliation.
5 https://stories.springernature.com/oa-report-2023/spotlight-on-tas/index.html
6 See section 1, fig. 1
7 See section 2, fig. 3
8 See section 3, fig. 4
9 See section 4
10 See section 5
11 See section 6
12 Based on the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking’s top 100 institutions. See section 7, fig. 5
13 See section 8, fig.6
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