Press Release Overview
Springer Nature issued its fifth Open Access (OA) report on 31 July 2026, announcing that transformative agreements (TAs) drove a 12% increase in OA publishing during 2025. The publisher added 19 new and 17 renewed TAs in that year, bringing the total to 101 agreements that now support researchers at more than 4,400 institutions worldwide.
Growth of TA‑Funded Articles
Since the inception of TAs in 2015, approximately 300,000 articles have been published under Springer and Nature transformative agreements. Of these, over 165,000 articles – more than half of the total – were published in the three‑year window 2023‑2025, indicating a rapid acceleration of uptake.
Impact Metrics
Articles published OA through Springer Nature achieved an average of 7.6 citations per article, representing a 21% increase over the previous year. Downloads of OA content grew 48% in Low‑ and Middle‑Income Countries, expanding global reach. Additionally, OA articles are cited in policy documents nearly a year earlier than non‑OA research, accelerating the translation of evidence into decision‑making.
Indian Transformative Agreement – MAHE
In India, the 2020 transformative agreement with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) remains a flagship example. The deal allows corresponding authors affiliated with MAHE campuses in Manipal, Bengaluru, Mangalore and Jamshedpur to publish eligible research OA in more than 2,000 hybrid journals and over 500 fully OA journals across the Springer Nature portfolio, with article processing charges fully covered by the institution. The agreement also grants institutional access to Springer Nature Link, enabling both publishing and content discovery for MAHE researchers.
Executive Comment
Carolyn Honour, Chief Commercial Officer at Springer Nature, stated that the company’s two‑decade experience with institutions, funders and researchers underpins its view that transformative agreements are the most effective mechanism to enable global participation, maintain research quality and deliver scalable impact. She emphasized the focus on sustainable, proven value for researchers, institutions and society.
About Springer Nature
Springer Nature is a leading global research publisher, operating the largest portfolio of journals and books and pioneering open research. With more than 180 years of heritage, the company provides technology‑enabled products, platforms and services that support researchers, health professionals and educators worldwide.
Access to Full Report
The complete fifth OA report and previous editions are available via the links provided in the press release, alongside Springer Nature’s Annual Report, reflecting the company’s commitment to transparency and support for the open research transition.