中科院拟停止支付开放获取期刊高额文章处理费？多名研究员回应

Core Viewpoint - The adjustment in funding management by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) aims to control costs and assert research authority, while also supporting domestic journals by potentially halting payments for publication fees in over 30 high-profile open access journals [1][2]. Group 1: Funding Policy Changes - CAS plans to prohibit its researchers from using institutional funds to pay article processing charges (APC) for journals like Nature Communications and Science Advances [1][2]. - The annual "journal warning list" published by CAS identifies journals with signs of research misconduct or high APCs, indicating a shift towards stricter funding policies [2]. - The adjustment in funding management is seen as a move to challenge high-cost open access publishers and promote local journals [3]. Group 2: Open Access Publishing Landscape - The number of open access papers published by Chinese researchers has increased, partly due to the career advantages associated with higher citation rates compared to subscription-based papers [2]. - As of 2023, there are approximately 178 English open access journals in China, with nearly half not charging APCs, indicating a growing domestic publishing landscape [3]. - Despite the rise of local journals, experts believe that more time is needed for these journals to establish significant influence in the global academic community [4]. Group 3: APC Cost Concerns - The average APC for academic journals is around $2,000, with some prestigious journals charging at least $5,000 per paper, raising sustainability concerns regarding high fees [3]. - The controversy surrounding high APCs has led to discussions about the profitability of major publishers, with some arguing that it is an unsustainable practice [4]. - Other countries, such as Germany and the United States, are also considering setting limits on APC reimbursements, reflecting a broader trend in funding policy adjustments [5].