AMSTERDAM, August 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Elsevier, the global information analytics business specializing in science and health, and the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI), announce their agreement to provide access to ScienceDirect, Elsevier's leading platform of peer-reviewed scholarly literature, for universities and research institutions across Italy.

Details of the subscription agreement were finalized at the end of June following negotiations held at the end of 2017, extending the current partnership between CRUI and Elsevier for the period 2018-2022. With the 5-year agreement more than 70 Italian universities and research institutions will have access to ScienceDirect, supporting researchers search, discover, read, and share scholarly literature.

"Access to high quality scientific research is key for Italian researchers and scientific institutions to maintain our country's position as one of Europe's leading research nations," said Gaetano Manfredi, President, CRUI. "Elsevier's cooperation helps us expand Italy's knowledge infrastructure and therefore the range of tools at our researchers' disposal."

CRUI and Elsevier have also initiated a pilot program that encourages Italian researchers to publish their articles open access in support of CRUI's open access ambitions.

"In addition to providing over 70 Italian research institutions with continued access to ScienceDirect, we will support Italy's open access objectives by continuing to work closely with the research community to understand their needs and co-create a more inclusive, collaborative and transparent world of research," said Gino Ussi, EVP Global Sales, Elsevier.

Joint CRUI and Elsevier press release.

About CRUI 

The CRUI is the association of Italian state and non-state universities. Established in 1963, as a private association of Rectors, the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI) has over time acquired an acknowledged institutional and representative role, as well as a practical capacity to influence the development of the university system, through its intense activity of study and experimentation. As the representative body of Italian universities, CRUI is in the front line for the introduction of innovative elements and the dissemination of methodologies, projects and programs among the universities.

About Elsevier 

Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps institutions and professionals advance healthcare, open science and improve performance for the benefit of humanity. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support and professional education, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, SciVal, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, 38,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries. http://www.elsevier.com

Media contacts:
Mario Santamaria, Communications and Media Relations
CRUI - Conference of Italian University Rectors
+39-0668441801
santamaria@crui.it

Sacha Boucherie, Global Communications
Elsevier
+31-6-3066-7129
s.boucherie@elsevier.com

SOURCE Elsevier B V