Astronomy & Astrophysics to remain Open Access in 2026 under Subscribe to Open

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Published on 13 May 2026

Paris, France, 13 May 2026. The Board of Directors of Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A) and EDP Sciences are pleased to announce that A&A will remain fully open access in 2026 under the Subscribe to Open (S2O) model, following sufficient renewal support from the library community.

This outcome ensures that all research published in open access in 2026 will continue to be made immediately and freely accessible to readers worldwide, in the fifth consecutive year of open access under S2O without reliance on article processing charges (APCs).

Reaching this point has not been straightforward. A&A reached the required thresholds, but only by a limited margin. Library subscriptions, which fund open-access publication under S2O, have continued to decline since the transition to the model. Although S2O is holding, A&A is now operating with increasingly narrow margins.

A&A’s approach reflects a clear position within the astronomy community. Findings from the recent A&A author survey, to be published shortly, show strong support for open access, alongside consistent concern about APC-based models and their impact on equity. The S2O model allows A&A to remain open access without shifting the full cost of publication onto authors, helping to reduce financial barriers to publishing for the astronomy community. However, declining library participation is placing increasing pressure on the model’s long-term sustainability.

Arūnas Kučinskas, Chair of the A&A Board of Directors, said: “Maintaining open access through the S2O model in 2026 is about doing what is right for the astronomy community. A&A has always been a journal ‘for astronomers, by astronomers’, and the clear message from our community is that they value a model that does not rely on APCs. At the same time, recent renewal cycles have also highlighted how dependent this approach is on continued institutional support.”

The S2O model relies on the continued commitment of subscribing institutions. Their support enables the journal to operate without shifting the core cost of publication onto authors, while preserving established library workflows.

Agnès Henri, Managing Director of EDP Sciences, said: “We are very grateful to the libraries that have chosen to support A&A again for 2026. Their continued commitment allows us to maintain immediate open access without relying on APCs. At a time of real pressure on budgets and broader geopolitical uncertainty, this is a deliberate choice, and one that we value highly.”

The A&A Board of Directors and EDP Sciences will continue to review and evolve the model in response to changing conditions, with the aim of maintaining a fair, stable and viable route to open access for the astronomy community.

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For more information, please contact:
Arūnas Kučinskas
Chairperson of the A&A Board of Directors
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Charlotte Van Rooyen
Director of Marketing and Communications, EDP Sciences
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About Astronomy & Astrophysics

Astronomy & Astrophysics is a peer-reviewed community journal that publishes original research in astronomy and astrophysics. The journal is an international consortium governed by a Board of Directors that sets the policies for A&A, including general guidelines for publishing, the selection of Editors, the various financial aspects, as well as membership of new countries.

The Editors are astronomers who are independent of any government or administrative body associated with the journal. A&A promotes diversity and equity in science and embraces open, inclusive, and fair practices that reflect the culture and values of the worldwide community of astronomers. Educational initiatives sponsored by A&A and EDP Sciences, such as the Science Writing for Young Astronomers (SWYA) workshops, educate and develop early-career astronomers.

About EDP Sciences

EDP Sciences is an international scientific publisher founded in 1920 by learned societies and still closely connected to the communities it serves. Working in partnership with researchers, editors, societies and libraries, it publishes journals, books and conference proceedings across a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Its publishing approach is shaped by the needs of the research community, with a focus on supporting open access in ways that remain equitable and sustainable.

About A&A’s Subscribe to Open Model

Subscribe to Open (S2O) is an innovative subscription model endorsed by cOAlition S, using traditional subscription mechanisms to support open access. Institutions subscribe as usual, and provided subscription targets are met, the journal remains openly accessible, promoting equitable knowledge distribution.

In 2026, A&A will continue to offer unrestricted access to its articles, with annual evaluations based on subscription renewals.

For more information, see the A&A S2O FAQs.