In response to a substantial surge in the number of articles published in special issues and growing inconsistencies in processes, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has announced a significant policy shift. Starting February 1, 2024, the SNSF will discontinue funding for Open Access articles appearing in special issues.
Researchers supported by the SNSF are obligated to make their findings publicly accessible, with the SNSF covering publication costs for Open Access articles, a practice in place since 2018 that has funded over 4,000 articles amounting to approximately 10 million Swiss francs.
Special issues, exclusive thematic sections of journals, have traditionally been excluded from such funding according to regulations. However, in practice, the SNSF has often supported Open Access articles in special issues. The change in policy, effective February 2024, is motivated by several factors.
The substantial increase in the number of articles in special issues over the years, rising from 33 in 2018 to 315 in 2022, has raised concerns. Some journals now prioritize special issues over regular ones, fostering a culture that values quantity over quality. This trend conflicts with the SNSF's commitment to sustainable funding and sound research practices.
The "publish or perish" culture, exacerbated by shorter processing times and lower rejection rates in special issues, is seen as detrimental to the integrity of research. This shift in emphasis compromises the judicious allocation of financial resources, which could otherwise support new and impactful research initiatives.
In addition to concerns about quantity and quality, the SNSF has also identified inconsistent processes associated with special issues. These issues, managed by separate publishing teams, introduce variations in the publishing workflow, making it challenging to maintain standardized practices.
To address these challenges, the SNSF has decided to cease payment of Article Processing Charges (APCs) for Open Access articles in special issues starting February 1, 2024. Articles submitted to journals before this date will still be eligible for funding. Researchers are encouraged to clarify the status of their articles early on to avoid any unforeseen challenges.
While researchers can continue to publish in special issues, the SNSF will no longer cover associated publication costs. This shift aims to foster more sustainable funding practices and aligns with the SNSF's broader strategy of evaluating research proposals based on performance rather than the sheer number of articles published, emphasizing the quality and impact of research outputs.
