The Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) is MDPI’s version of an Open Access Agreement. It is a partnership framework designed to help institutions support their researchers in publishing Open Access.

With more than 1,000 institutions worldwide already participating, the IOAP provides a structured, transparent, and cost-effective way to expand OA publishing. Built around Open Access agreements, the program defines how MDPI and institutions collaborate to reduce financial barriers, streamline workflows, and increase transparency in the publishing process.

In this article, we explore how the IOAP helps institutions support Open Access objectives by providing researchers with more accessible pathways to publishing their work openly.

The purpose of the IOAP

The IOAP exists to make OA publishing more accessible for both institutions and authors. Open Access publishing often requires authors to pay an Article Processing Charge (APC), which can be a barrier for many researchers.

The IOAP addresses this by offering APC discounts through formal Open Access agreements. These agreements ensure that affiliated authors can publish in MDPI’s 500+ fully OA journals with reduced financial pressure.

For institutions, the IOAP provides transparency to MDPI’s editorial process, administrative efficiency, and predictable workflows, supporting Open Access publishing at scale.

Why Open Access agreements are essential

Open Access agreements are the foundation of the IOAP. They define the financial model, invoicing structure, and level of institutional involvement. Without these agreements, authors would need to manage APC payments individually, often without institutional support.

An Open Access agreement shifts this responsibility. It provides a clear, structured route for authors to publish OA while giving institutions oversight and control. These agreements also help institutions comply with Open Access mandates by ensuring their researchers have accessible publishing options.

Agreement models

MDPI offers two main types of Open Access agreements: flat‑fee and discount. Each model supports different institutional needs.

The flat‑fee model allows an institution to pay a single annual fee that covers a fixed or unlimited number of articles. This model is suited to institutions with substantial and ongoing publication output. It provides predictable budgeting and ensures that authors can publish without individual APC charges.

The discount model offers APC discounts to affiliated authors at no additional cost to the institution. It is open to all participating institutions and offers a flexible entry point for OA support. Authors benefit from reduced APCs, and institutions can choose to expand their involvement later if needed.

These two agreement models allow institutions to choose the level of financial commitment that best suits their publishing activity.

Invoicing options

The IOAP offers flexible invoicing workflows to match institutional preferences. Central invoicing allows institutions to manage APC payments directly. MDPI offers three central invoicing formats: direct invoicing per article, collective invoicing (monthly or quarterly), and prepayment options.

Non‑central invoicing bills authors directly. This option is useful for institutions that want to provide APC discounts without managing payments internally.

This flexibility ensures that institutions can adopt the workflow that best fits their administrative structure and financial processes.

Institutional benefits

Institutions joining the IOAP gain access to several operational advantages. The most significant is the Institutional Dashboard, a dedicated environment within MDPI’s submission system, SuSy.

The dashboard provides real‑time, COUNTER‑compliant tracking of submissions, article metadata, APC information, and editorial engagement. It also offers downloadable reports, giving institutions full visibility of their publishing activity.

Another benefit is automatic repository deposits. Once configured, MDPI deposits accepted articles directly into the institution’s repository using the SWORD 1.3 protocol. Each deposit includes a PDF of the manuscript and an HTML metadata file. This automation removes the need for manual uploads and ensures consistent compliance with repository requirements.

Institutions also receive dedicated support. Each partner is assigned a direct MDPI contact who assists with account management, invoicing questions, and publishing‑related queries. This ensures smooth communication and efficient issue resolution.

Author benefits

Authors affiliated with IOAP institutions receive several benefits. The most important is the reduction in APC costs. Discounts apply across all MDPI journals and can be combined with reviewer vouchers for additional savings.

This makes OA publishing more accessible to researchers who may otherwise face financial barriers. Authors also benefit from greater reach, as publishing Open Access increases readership, reuse, and citation potential.

Additional discounts are available for MDPI Books. Authors receive 10% off Book Processing Charges (BPCs) and Chapter Processing Charges (CPCs). They also receive 15% off language editing services through MDPI’s Author Services.

The IOAP expands publishing options by giving authors access to MDPI’s 500+ fully open access journals. This provides more opportunities for faculty to publish Open Access, beyond the limited selection available through traditional Read and Publish agreements.

Why institutions choose the IOAP

Institutions choose the IOAP because it offers a clear, structured, and cost‑effective way to support Open Access publishing. The combination of transparent oversight, automated repository compliance, flexible invoicing, and reduced APC costs makes the program a practical solution for institutions of all sizes.

Institutions seeking a reliable and scalable way to support Open Access publishing can click here to join the IOAP and immediately expand their authors’ publishing opportunities.