The DFG-funded project “SeDOA” aims to increase the efficiency of Diamond Open Access publishing in Germany by improving the coordination and visibility of existing decentralised publication infrastructures, providing centralised information and promoting innovation.
SeDOA intends to firmly establish Diamond Open Access publishing in scientific technical communication. As a Single Point of Contact with an efficient communication infrastructure, it will involve all stakeholders (Community of Practice) in Germany.
SeDOA forms the German Diamond Capacity Centre and thus strengthens international cooperation as part of the European Diamond Capacity Hub (EDCH) network.
What is a Diamond Open Access Publication?
Based on other (international) projects such as CODRIA, DIAMAS, CRAFT-OA and PLATO, SeDOA has formulated the following minimum definitions as a common understanding:
- In Diamond Open Access journals, quality-assured articles are published free of charge for authors and readers under an open access-compliant licence. The journal or title rights belong to the scholarly community. Diamond Open Access journals serve academic communication and non-commercial purposes.
- In Diamond Open Access books, quality-assured content is published free of charge for authors and readers under an open access-compliant licence. The book and series titles belong to the scholarly community. Diamond Open Access books serve academic communication and non-commercial purposes.
What does SeDOA offer?
Demand-orientated offers are planned, taking into account special disciplinary features:
- Provision of information material, guidelines and guides – including on legal issues (preparation of legal opinions on a case-by-case basis)
- Organisation of workshops and training courses
- Brokerage of publication projects to suitable Diamond OA providers in Germany and abroad (Diamond Hub)
- Development of optimised XML workflows and guidance on digital accessibility
- Extensive national and international networking and communication work
- Creation of better visibility and data basis by setting up a registry for Diamond OA publications
- Dynamisation of Diamond Open Access through innovative concepts and approaches in a SeDOA Innovation Lab (SIL)
You are welcome to contact SeDOA via kontakt@diamond-open-access.de and find out about the latest news on: @sedoa (Mastodon).
Who is behind SeDOA?
The project is supported by a consortium of 15 institutions:
- Universitätsbibliothek der Freien Universität Berlin
- Universitätsbibliothek der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Universitätsbibliothek der Technischen Universität Berlin
- Medizinische Bibliothek, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- Universitätsbibliothek Bielefeld
- Max-Weber-Stiftung Bonn
- Universitätsbibliothek Braunschweig
- Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt
- Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg
- Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg
- FIZ Karlsruhe – Leibniz-Institut für Informationsinfrastruktur
- ZBW – Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft
- Zentrale Fachbibliothek für Medizin Köln
- Fachhochschule Potsdam
- Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel
The AG Universitätsverlage is also directly involved.
The project is led by the University and State Library Darmstadt, currently providing the spokesperson for the consortium, the University Library of the Humboldt University in Berlin and the Max Weber Foundation in Bonn.
The official start date was 1 May 2025.
You can find the application (abridged) here.
A new website will be launched here shortly. Until then, you can find out about SeDOA events in 2025 here.