AIP Publishing Launches Pilot of AIP Fusion: A New Model for Open Science in the Physical Sciences

MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AIP Publishing (AIPP), a not-for-profit publisher serving the global physical sciences community, today announced the launch of AIP Fusion, a new services-based business model that redefines how institutions access and contribute to scientific research. Initially, the AIP Fusion model will be piloted with a select group of institutions and library consortia in 2026.

Rooted in AIPP's mission to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity by breaking barriers to open, fair research, AIP Fusion moves beyond the traditional "article economy" to a services-based model that offers unlimited reading and publishing services in AIPP's full portfolio of 40+ journals under one simple, transparent agreement. By eliminating article processing charges (APCs) for participating institutions, AIP Fusion ensures that researchers can publish openly, ethically, and without administrative friction—empowering discovery, collaboration, and innovation.

"Science belongs to everyone. With AIP Fusion, we are breaking down financial and structural barriers to accelerate global progress in the physical sciences. This model reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency, access, inclusivity, and sustainability in scholarly publishing," said Penelope Lewis, Chief Publishing Officer at AIP Publishing.

A Model Built with Libraries, for Libraries

A distinguishing feature of AIP Fusion is its collaborative design. The model was developed through extensive consultation with an international group of libraries and consortia, including leaders from the US, Canada, UK, and EU – regions particularly focused in Open Science forward policies. This partnership ensured the model reflects these regional priorities and responds to real-world institutional needs.

"In a time when publishing models can feel opaque, AIP Fusion stands out for its clarity. The pricing formula is straightforward, and the goals are mission-driven. That kind of transparency builds trust," said Curtis Brundy, Dean of University Libraries at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

AIP Fusion at a Glance:

• Unlimited publishing services: Authors at participating institutions can seamlessly publish in any AIPP or partner journal—including gold OA titles—without APCs or article caps.
• Unlimited reading: Institutions gain access to the entire portfolio of 40+ journals, with archives back to 1999.
• Open access by default: All articles published under AIP Fusion agreements are openly available under CC BY 4.0 for full funder compliance.
• Mission-driven pricing: Fees are based on transparent formulas that integrate an institution's legacy publishing activity and usage history, with built-in safeguards for price stability.
• Community-driven innovation: Designed hand-in-hand with library and consortia partners to reflect shared values of equity, openness, and sustainability.

By replacing article-based fees with a transparent, services-based model, AIP Fusion fosters a more sustainable research ecosystem—one where scientific integrity, not volume, drives progress.

This launch builds on AIPP's four open science pillars: increasing transparency, improving access, embracing difference, and ensuring sustainability. Together, these principles form the foundation of AIP Fusion and AIPP's broader vision for a more inclusive, impactful, and resilient scholarly publishing landscape.

About AIP Publishing
AIP Publishing is a wholly owned not-for-profit subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Dedicated to advancing the physical sciences, AIPP publishes a growing portfolio of journals in partnership with leading scholarly societies and serves as a trusted voice for the global research community. Learn more at publishing.aip.org.

SOURCE AIP Publishing