Why the Change?

  • Overwhelming support from the computer science community
  • Open Access (OA) articles are downloaded 100-150% & cited 70% more frequently

What is Changing?

All ACM Publications will go fully open access starting on January 1, 2026. All authors will retain copyright through applicable Creative Commons licensing for all papers.

OA fees will be funded through:

  • ACM Open (an institutional subscription that covers fees for faculty), or
  • Author-paid Article Processing Charges (APCs, individual fees paid by authors)

Is My University an ACM Open Institution?

What Changes for Authors?

  • After January 1, 2026, to publish a proceeding paper, the corresponding author must either be affiliated with an ACM Open institution or individually pay the applicable APC.
  • The APC payment system will allow authors to share the APC cost with co-authors or third parties.
  • Authors can apply for a discretionary waiver from ACM by demonstrating financial hardship and an inability to pay. Please see https://www.acm.org/publications/policies/policy-on-open-access-apc-waivers-and-discounts

Are there any APC subsidies in 2026?

  • ACM will charge $250 for ACM/SIG members and $350 for nonmembers (reduced from $700 and $1000, respectively) in 2026 before charging the full amount in 2027.
  • ACM will provide a very small number of Financial Hardship Waiver to authors with demonstrated financial needs.

For more information, please visit: https://www.acm.org/publications/openaccess

Questions? Email: acmopen@hq.acm.org

ACM’s Transition to 100% Open Access Publication