Witten/Herdecke University Joins JMIR and ZB Med Open Access Initiative

JMIR Publications, a prominent open-access digital health research publisher, has announced that Witten/Herdecke University has joined their Flat-Fee Unlimited Open Access Publishing Partnership through ZB Med, Germany’s national infrastructure and research hub for life sciences data and information. This significant collaboration aims to enhance the visibility of scientific research while removing financial barriers for authors.

The partnership was facilitated by Ulrike Weichern, Regional Sales Manager DACH at KGL Accucoms. Weichern expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Witten/Herdecke University, stating, “It was a pleasure to collaborate with the University of Witten-Herdecke, JMIR, and ZB Med on their common goal of further advancing the idea of open access and supporting researchers in making their scientific excellence internationally visible.”

Impact of the Partnership

As a new member of this consortium, Witten/Herdecke University now gains comprehensive access to all JMIR Publications journals. This arrangement allows the university to optimize its budget while enhancing the international reach of its research through unlimited publishing options for corresponding authors. Witten/Herdecke University is the third German institution to join this initiative in 2025, reflecting a growing trend towards open access in higher education.

For years, JMIR Publications has been dedicated to reducing or eliminating financial barriers for researchers at numerous partner institutions globally. This initiative has made a tangible impact on the dissemination of open research. Dennis O’Brien, Vice President of Communications and Partnerships at JMIR Publications, remarked, “The addition of Witten/Herdecke to our partnership with ZB Med is confirmation of the value provided by our Flat-Fee Unlimited Open Access Publishing offer.”

O’Brien further noted that this decision adds positive momentum to the partnership as they approach the fall enrollment period, emphasizing the significance of this collaboration in advancing open science.

Details of the Agreement

This partnership exemplifies ZB Med’s commitment to supporting life sciences researchers throughout the entire research cycle in accordance with open science principles. The flat-fee agreement eliminates Article Processing Charges (APCs) for researchers affiliated with participating institutions, simplifying the publication process and making it more accessible. This initiative encompasses all JMIR Publications journals from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.

JMIR Publications focuses on author advocacy and amplifying research, partnering with scholars to enhance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. The publisher is recognized for its innovative tools and resources that support researchers at every step of the dissemination process, including its flagship title, the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

For further information on JMIR Publications and its initiatives, one can visit their website or connect through various social media platforms.

ZB Med, the Information Centre for Life Sciences, plays a critical role in supporting research projects across various fields, from medicine to environmental protection, illustrating the importance of collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge.

This partnership marks a significant advancement in open access publishing, enhancing the accessibility of research findings while fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation among academic institutions.