Public Knowledge Project Secures Multi-Year Funding from Max Planck Society

The Public Knowledge Project (PKP) has announced a significant multi-year financial agreement with the Max Planck Digital Library (MPDL) that will extend from 2026 to 2028. This partnership highlights a mutual commitment to enhancing free, open-source, and community-governed scholarly infrastructure within the global research community.

The MPDL, part of the Max Planck Society’s Information & Technology division, plays an essential role in supporting researchers at its 85 institutes. It provides trusted resources for accessing, publishing, and disseminating research findings. The library’s dedication to ensuring reliable and transparent scholarly communication is critical in responding to the evolving needs of the academic community.

Commitment to Open Access and Sustainable Publishing

In addition to its core services, the MPDL has been a strong advocate for the global shift towards open access. It promotes sustainable scholarly publishing practices that prioritize public value while enhancing researchers’ capacity to share and advance knowledge.

Ádám Dér, Head of Scientific Information Provision at the MPDL, commented on the agreement, emphasizing its importance for both organizations. Juan Pablo Alperin, Scientific Director of the Public Knowledge Project, also expressed enthusiasm, stating that support from the Max Planck Society is vital for the ongoing development and sustainability of Open Journal Systems (OJS). This platform remains the most widely adopted free open-source journal publishing tool globally.

The funding will also bolster PKP’s broader suite of resources, including Open Monograph Press (OMP) and Open Preprint Systems (OPS). These tools, alongside educational programs and multilingual resources, empower scholar-led and community-led publishing initiatives across diverse regional and disciplinary contexts.

Impact on Scholarly Publishing

The collaboration aligns with PKP’s mission to expand support for multilingualism and foster global participation in the production of open knowledge. Several journals associated with the Max Planck Society, such as the Journal of Japanese Law and the Journal of Chinese Law, utilize OJS as their preferred publishing platform.

The MPDL’s ongoing engagement underscores the need for dependable, community-supported publishing resources for institutions dedicated to promoting open and equitable research dissemination. As the landscape of scholarly communication continues to evolve, this partnership represents a significant step toward a more accessible and collaborative research environment for scholars worldwide.

For more information about PKP software support, please visit their official website. The Public Knowledge Project serves as a Core Facility of Simon Fraser University, located in Burnaby, B.C., Canada. The university acknowledges that it occupies the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.