In 2024, Open Journal Systems (OJS) firmly cemented its role as a cornerstone of open scholarly publishing, following its official selection as the technical foundation for the European Commission’s Open Research Europe (ORE) platform. This decision underscores the trust placed in OJS by the Commission and reflects a shared vision of building an open, scalable, and community-driven platform for scholarly communication.
Behind the ORE–OJS Partnership
In December 2023, the European Commission launched a tender to identify a reliable open-source system suitable for constructing the ORE platform. By September 2024, OJS was chosen as the winning solution. The Public Knowledge Project (PKP), the developers of OJS, received €890,000 in funding under a two-year contract to implement and support the platform.
The decision was informed by a Commission-led technical evaluation highlighting the critical importance of technological sovereignty, the ability to manage and enhance the platform independently, without reliance on proprietary systems. The evaluation also recognized OJS’s extensive adoption and proven track record within the open-access community.
Project Scope and Objectives
Under the contract effective from September 2024, PKP will fully develop the ORE platform using the OJS architecture. Importantly, the resulting platform will be released under a fully open-source license, enabling free reuse, adaptation, and community contributions, thereby reinforcing the collaborative and sustainable ethos of open access.
Upcoming Features in OJS 3.6
The ORE integration has accelerated the OJS development roadmap. PKP has announced a range of advanced features planned for the upcoming OJS 3.6 release, including:
Text production tools for JATS XML, PDF, and HTML formats
Open peer review workflows, allowing readers and publishers to access transparent peer review processes
Preprint support, enabling content to be published prior to peer review completion
Continuous publication, removing reliance on additional plugins for real-time article dissemination
Crucially, these innovations will coexist with conventional peer review pathways. PKP clarifies that while these enhancements are driven by ORE’s needs, they will be incorporated into future OJS versions for all global users.
Implications for the Future of Open Access
Elevating OJS’s international stature: With more than 44,000 journals already using it, OJS’s selection for a major European initiative underscores its foundational role in the open-access publishing ecosystem.
Encouraging community-driven innovation: The open-source model invites global collaboration, empowering researchers and publishers to contribute enhancements.
Affirming a commitment to unrestricted access: By ensuring the platform remains free for authors and readers alike, this project aligns with the Commission’s vision for transparent, rapid, and post-publication peer review.