The MIT Press has declared that starting in 2026, Duke University Press will be part of its Direct to Open (D2O) initiative. This alliance represents the inaugural collaboration with another university press within the D2O framework and reinforces their mutual dedication to ethical, equitable, and sustainable open access publishing.

Initiated in 2021, D2O serves as the MIT Press’ model for open access monographs, transitioning publishing from a purely market-driven purchase system—where individuals and libraries acquire single e-books—to a cooperative, library-supported open access setup.

Duke University Press contributes its esteemed catalog in the humanities and social sciences to Direct to Open, offering open access to 20 new titles annually, in addition to the MIT Press’ 80 scholarly works each year. Their involvement in the D2O initiative—which will also grant complimentary term access to a paywalled collection of 250 essential backlist titles—broadens the spectrum of openly accessible academic materials for D2O’s library collaborators.

“By broadening the Direct to Open framework to encompass one of the most cutting-edge university presses in operation today, we’re making a significant advancement toward creating a more open and accessible future for academic publishing,” states Amy Brand, director and publisher of the MIT Press. “We are absolutely delighted to forge this partnership with Duke University Press. This collaboration will serve the entire scholarly community, ensuring that more books are accessible to readers all over the globe.”

“We are privileged to be a part of MIT Press’ vibrant and successful D2O initiative,” remarks Dean Smith, director of Duke University Press. “It significantly extends our open-access reach and aligns with our mission to make bold and transformative scholarship available to the world.”

With Duke University Press’ engagement in 2026, D2O will offer various package options, integrating content from both the MIT Press and Duke University Press. Participating institutions will have the chance to support each press separately, granting flexibility for libraries while cultivating collaborative impact.

For information on how your institution can engage with or support Direct to Open, please visit the D2O website or reach out to the MIT Press library relations team.