Diamond Open Access: Benefits, Challenges, and Technology

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of academic publishing, one model aims to stand out as the most equitable: Diamond Open Access (DOA). Unlike other Open Access models, DOA eliminates all financial barriers for authors and readers. Researchers can submit their work without paying prohibitive article processing charges (APCs), and readers can access scholarly content without costly subscriptions. DOA has the potential to become the most inclusive publishing model, fostering a truly open and global exchange of knowledge.

By ensuring free access and free publication, Diamond Open Access has the potential to preserve the integrity of scholarly communication while promoting academic equity. However, this model faces challenges—chiefly in funding and operational scalability. Unlike commercial publishers, Diamond OA journals rely on institutional support, government grants, and community-driven funding models, which can be unpredictable and difficult to sustain at scale.

To address these challenges, technological solutions such as OS-APS and SciFlow have emerged to streamline workflows, improve production efficiency, and reduce the operational burden on DOA publishers. In this article, we will explore the key benefits and challenges of Diamond Open Access, its distinction from other Open Access models, and how innovative tools like OS-APS and SciFlow are helping shape the future of sustainable, equitable academic publishing.

What is Diamond Open Access?

Diamond Open Access is a fee-free publishing model where neither readers nor authors have to pay for access or publication. Unlike Gold OA, which often requires authors to pay hefty APCs, Diamond OA journals and platforms are financed by institutions, research organizations, and public funding.

DOA is often operated with institutional support and is usually scholarly owned.

This model particularly appeals to researchers from underfunded institutions or regions where high APCs create barriers to publishing. The emphasis is on collaborative, community-driven publishing, ensuring that knowledge remains accessible to everyone, regardless of financial resources.

According to the OA Diamond Journals Study (Bosman et al., 2021):

• There are an estimated 17,000 to 29,000 Diamond Open Access journals worldwide.
• 45% of DOA journals are based in Europe.

Examples of Diamond Open Access journals and initiatives include:

• The Open Library of Humanities (OLH)
• SciPost (for physics and related fields)
• The Redalyc & SciELO initiatives in Latin America
• OS-APS, an open-source production system supporting Diamond OA workflows
• SciFlow Publish, an online service for editing and producing DOA books and journals

How Diamond Open Access Differs from Other Open Access Models

There are several Open Access publishing models, each with distinct funding mechanisms and accessibility levels. The table below highlights key differences:

Diamond Open Access is the most equitable and non-commercial model. Still, the model depends on research published in DOA journals, although there might be indexation and funding challenges.

Benefits of Diamond Open Access

1. Equitable Access for Authors

Since Diamond OA does not require APCs, researchers from all economic backgrounds can publish their work without financial barriers. This is particularly beneficial for early-career researchers and those from low-income institutions.

2. Free Access for Readers

As with other OA models, Diamond OA makes research immediately accessible to everyone, fostering knowledge dissemination without paywalls or subscription fees.

3. Community-Driven Publishing

Many Diamond OA journals are run by academic institutions, libraries, and scholarly societies rather than commercial publishers. This promotes greater academic independence and transparency in publishing processes.

4. Sustainable and Non-Profit Approach

Diamond OA aligns with long-term sustainability goals by relying on institutional funding rather than author fees. It shifts the financial burden from individuals to collective institutions or funding bodies, ensuring research is not commodified.

Challenges and Sustainability of Diamond Open Access

Despite its advantages, Diamond Open Access faces challenges, particularly in funding and infrastructure.

1. Funding and Financial Stability

• Many Diamond OA initiatives depend on grants and institutional support, which can be unpredictable.
• A lack of centralized funding makes it harder for small-scale journals to sustain long-term operations.

2. Scalability and Operational Challenges

• Many Diamond OA journals are run by volunteers or small teams, which can make handling high submission volumes challenging.
• Editorial and peer-review processes require strong infrastructure, which some smaller publishers may lack.

3. Indexation 

• Diamond OA journals are often not listed in Scopus or Web-of-Science 

• Relying solely on PDFs for publication makes it difficult for articles to be indexed properly and discoverable in search engines. Structured formats like JATS-XML and HTML improve visibility and accessibility.

4. Technical and Production Limitations

• High-quality digital publishing requires robust software solutions for typesetting, editing, and archiving.
• Many institutions lack the expertise or resources to build efficient workflows, making automation and collaboration tools essential.

The Role of OS-APS and SciFlow in Supporting Diamond Open Access

To address some of the challenges Diamond Open Access publishers face, open-source publishing tools like OS-APS and SciFlow offer scalable solutions for journal production.

OS-APS: Open-Source Publishing for Diamond OA

OS-APS (Open Source – Automated Publishing System) is a web-based production workflow explicitly designed for Diamond OA journals and university presses. Key features include:

• Automated typesetting for professional-quality publications.
• Support for multiple export formats (JATS-XML, HTML, EPUB).
• Institutional hosting capabilities for long-term sustainability.

SciFlow: Simplifying the Publishing Process

SciFlow is a cloud-based authoring and publishing platform that enhances collaboration and editorial workflows. It offers:

• AI-driven manuscript conversion from MS Word to structured formats.
• Advanced collaboration tools for authors, reviewers, and editors.
• Advanced templates for journals, monographs, and proceedings to automate production and typesetting.
• Support for publishing teams.

Both OS-APS and SciFlow help Diamond OA publishers streamline their workflows, reducing the technical barriers to high-quality academic publishing.