Innovation Press: A Non-Profit Open Access Experiment Seeks to Reshape Scientific Publishing
In 2021, a group of scientists based in Hong Kong founded Innovation Press, a non-profit open-access publisher that operates without paid advertisements and relies solely on Article Processing Charges (APCs) to sustain its operations. With offices in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen, the press has launched six journals, including the flagship title *The Innovation*, and immediately makes all content available without any embargo period. The model represents a deliberate departure from the subscription-based system that has dominated academic publishing for decades, and it raises pressing questions about whether a mission-driven, APC-funded non-profit can offer a viable alternative to large commercial publishers.
A Researcher-Led Push for Open Access
Innovation Press was established by “a group of scientists,” as the organization describes itself, and its leadership team holds advanced degrees in natural sciences. This researcher-led genesis is central to the press’s identity. The founders sought to create a publishing platform that prioritizes scientific transparency and rapid dissemination over profit. By offering immediate open access with no embargo, Innovation Press ensures that research is freely available to anyone with an internet connection from the moment of publication.
[IMAGE: Photo of the Innovation Press team or a modern office interior in Beijing, Hangzhou, or Shenzhen]
The press is headquartered in Hong Kong but maintains editorial and administrative offices in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen. This geographic spread allows the publisher to tap into China’s rapidly expanding research ecosystem while remaining operationally separate from any single institution. The press’s tagline—“See the unseen. Change the unchanged.”—reflects its ambition to challenge the status quo of scientific communication.
The Economics of a Non-Profit APC Model
Innovation Press generates revenue exclusively through Article Processing Charges and related activities. It does not accept paid advertisements, a decision that bolsters editorial independence but also places the full financial burden on authors or their funders. For a non-profit open-access publisher, APCs provide a straightforward revenue stream: authors pay a fee upon acceptance, and the publisher provides free, immediate access to the final published article.
[IMAGE: Infographic showing the APC flow: authors/research funders pay fee → publisher provides open access → global readership]
This model is not unique. Many commercial open-access publishers, such as those in the Frontiers or MDPI groups, also rely on APCs. But those organizations operate as for-profit entities, often with margins that draw criticism from the academic community. Innovation Press positions itself as an alternative—revenue is reinvested into the publishing process, not distributed to shareholders. Yet the financial pressure remains real. For the press to survive, it must attract a steady flow of submissions from authors who can afford the charges, or from institutions that cover APCs through central funds.
The equity implications are significant. Researchers in low- and middle-income countries, or those working in fields with limited grant support, may struggle to pay APCs. Some publishers offer waivers or discounts, but Innovation Press has not publicly disclosed a systematic waiver policy. The question of how a non-profit open-access publisher balances financial sustainability with equitable access remains unresolved.
Building Credibility Through International Standards
To gain trust in a competitive landscape, Innovation Press has sought membership in several key international organizations. It is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), the International Association of Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers (STM), the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA), and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). These affiliations signal that the press adheres to widely recognized standards for peer review, ethical oversight, and editorial transparency.
[IMAGE: Logos of COPE, WAME, STM, OASPA, ICMJE, and CLOCKSS arranged in a grid or circular pattern]
Membership in such bodies is not automatic. Publishers must demonstrate compliance with best practices, including clear conflict-of-interest policies, retraction procedures, and transparent editorial processes. For a young publisher, achieving these credentials quickly is a deliberate effort to differentiate itself from so-called “predatory” open-access journals that lack rigorous oversight.
The press also uses double opt-in marketing and works with reputable list companies for author outreach—a responsible approach that avoids the aggressive spamming tactics sometimes associated with less scrupulous open-access publishers. Permanent archiving is handled through CLOCKSS, a community-run system that preserves content in distributed servers, ensuring that articles remain accessible even if the publisher ceases operations. This archiving commitment is particularly important for libraries and researchers who need long-term access guarantees.
Six Journals Spanning Major Disciplines
Innovation Press currently publishes six titles:
- The Innovation (flagship, multi-disciplinary)
- The Innovation Life
- The Innovation Geoscience
- The Innovation Materials
- The Innovation Medicine
- The Innovation Energy
The portfolio covers a broad range of natural and applied sciences, from life sciences and medicine to geoscience, materials science, and energy research. Each journal is produced “by scientists for scientists,” with editorial boards composed of active researchers. The press’s offices in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen provide regional coverage and facilitate engagement with the Chinese research community, which has been rapidly expanding its output of scientific publications.
[IMAGE: Cover images of the six Innovation Press journals arranged side by side, or a map of China marking the three office cities]
The journals are affiliated with The Innovation Academy, an independent research network, and have academic co-partners including the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Institute of Microbiology, CAS. These partnerships lend institutional credibility and provide a pipeline of high-quality submissions. The backing from CAS institutes—among the most prominent research organizations in China—signals that Innovation Press is not operating in isolation but is embedded in a broader scientific ecosystem.
A Glimpse Behind the Editorial Process
Innovation Press describes its editorial process as rigorous and transparent. Manuscripts undergo peer review, and the press claims to follow the ethical guidelines set by COPE and ICMJE. The journals are published online with immediate open access; there is no subscription barrier and no embargo period. Articles are assigned Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and are indexed in various databases, though the press is still working to secure coverage in major indices such as Web of Science and Scopus.
[IMAGE: A flowchart illustrating the submission-to-publication workflow: submission → editorial screening → peer review → decision → APC payment → publication with open access]
The press has not publicly disclosed its APC prices for each journal, but typical non-profit APC-based open-access journals charge anywhere from $500 to $2,500 per article. For comparison, some commercial open-access journals charge $3,000 or more. The actual price point will be a critical factor in determining whether Innovation Press can attract a steady stream of authors while maintaining financial solvency.
The Broader Implications for Academic Communication
The emergence of Innovation Press is part of a larger trend: researchers and institutions are increasingly questioning the dominance of commercial publishers. Initiatives such as Plan S, launched by cOAlition S in 2018, require that publicly funded research be published in compliant open-access journals or platforms. This shift has created space for new entrants—both for-profit and non-profit—that offer open-access options.
Innovation Press’s model raises critical questions about the future economics of academic communication. Can a non-profit publisher that depends entirely on APCs survive without the economies of scale enjoyed by large commercial players? How will it compete for high-quality submissions when authors often prioritize prestige journals with high impact factors? And will the non-profit structure truly lead to lower fees and better service, or will it reproduce the same financial pressures that critics point to in the for-profit sector?
The press’s affiliation with CAS institutes provides a foundation, but it also raises questions about independence. While the press is not owned or operated by CAS, the academic co-partnerships create a close relationship. For some observers, this may be a strength—it ties the publisher to established research excellence. For others, it may raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest in editorial decisions.
Challenges Ahead: Sustainability, Equity, and Scale
Innovation Press faces several hurdles as it seeks to grow. First, it must build a reputation that persuades researchers to submit their best work. Without a legacy of high-impact factors or a large readership, the press will need to rely on its editorial board members, its institutional partners, and the quality of its peer review to attract submissions.
Second, the APC model itself is under scrutiny. Many researchers and institutions advocate for “diamond” open access, in which journals do not charge APCs at all and are funded by institutions, consortia, or government subsidies. Innovation Press has not indicated any plans to move away from APCs, which means it will continue to face questions about equity and affordability.
Third, the press must scale its operations without compromising quality. A small non-profit publisher may struggle to handle a growing number of submissions, manage peer review efficiently, and invest in technology platforms that large commercial publishers can afford. The press’s offices across three Chinese cities provide some operational capacity, but it remains a relatively lean operation compared to established publishers.
Conclusion: An Experiment Worth Watching
Innovation Press is a noteworthy experiment in non-profit open-access publishing. Founded by scientists, backed by prestigious Chinese research institutes, and committed to immediate open access and international standards, it represents a mission-driven alternative to the commercial publishing giants. Its reliance on APCs, however, means it is not free from the economic tensions that define the broader open-access landscape.
Whether Innovation Press can achieve long-term sustainability and grow its portfolio of journals without compromising its values will be closely watched by the academic publishing community. If it succeeds, it could serve as a model for other researcher-led initiatives seeking to reclaim control of scientific communication. If it falters, it will offer a cautionary tale about the challenges of funding open access through author-side fees alone.
For now, Innovation Press has secured its place in the conversation about the future of scholarly publishing. Its six journals are live, its content is freely accessible, and its team is actively building partnerships. The experiment has begun—and the results will matter far beyond the three cities where its offices are located.
[IMAGE: A futuristic, clean illustration of a glowing digital globe connected by fine light beams across continents, with open book symbols and DNA helixes floating around the globe. The background is a deep blue gradient with subtle grid lines suggesting data flow. No text or watermarks.]