MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #34 - MDPI US Office, Coatings 2026, Media and Partnerships, Recapping Poland Summit & Serbia Salon

Opening Thoughts

MDPI Opens First US Office in Philadelphia

I am delighted to highlight an important milestone in MDPI’s continued global development: the recent opening of our first office in the United States, located in Philadelphia.

This marks a significant step in building our engagement with one of the world’s most important research communities. The new office will serve as a hub for supporting scholars across the US, creating closer connections and more localized support.

As highlighted in recent coverage by our press release in InPublishing, this expansion reflects MDPI’s broader commitment to growing our international presence while remaining focused on the needs of the research community.

A Key Market for Research and Collaboration

The United States continues to play a central role in global research. To date, MDPI has published more than 237,000 articles affiliated with US institutions, and we collaborate with nearly 12,000 Editorial Board Members across the country. These relationships are fundamental to our mission of supporting Open Access and advancing scientific communication.

The opening of this office is not just about geography; it is about proximity to the communities we serve. It allows us to better understand the evolving needs of researchers while continuing to build collaboration and trust within the academic ecosystem.

The Team Behind this Milestone

As we continue to grow, our focus remains on supporting researchers globally and advancing Open Access with integrity.

Impactful Research

Coatings 2026: Highlights from Our Latest MDPI Conference (20-22 April)

I am pleased to share the successful completion of MDPI conference Coatings 2026, which took place last week in Athens from 20 to 22 April 2026. This conference brought together a diverse international community of researchers, industry experts, and partners, highlighting MDPI’s role not only as a publisher but also as a platform for scientific exchange and collaboration.

Conference Highlights

Coatings 2026 in numbers:

• The event attracted approximately 140 participants from 25 countries
• 143 submissions and a strong scientific program of talks and posters
• 2 keynote speakers and a wide range of invited contributions
• 7 sponsors and 11 media partners supporting the event

Scientific Programme

The program centered on “Safe and Sustainable by Design,” reflecting the growing importance of sustainability, regulatory frameworks, and technological innovation in materials science. Topics ranged from advanced coating technologies and additive manufacturing to AI-driven simulations and strategies to phase out potentially harmful substances in industrial processes.

Importantly, the conference brought together both academic and industrial perspectives, creating a space for dialogue on how research can translate into real-world impact. This is important as industries navigate environmental challenges, evolving regulations, and the need for more sustainable and circular approaches to production.

Thank You!

I would like to thank the entire conference team for their work in organizing this successful event. As we continue to grow, conferences like this play an important role in building our connection with global research communities, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, and positioning MDPI at the intersection of science, technology, and societal impact.

Members from Exelisis and MDPI EU Conference & Social Media team at the Coatings 2026 Conference in Athens, Greece.

Inside MDPI

Recent Media Coverage and Partnerships

Over the past two months, news from MDPI has enjoyed strong visibility across international publishing and academic media, reflecting our continued expansion and the increasing relevance of our work within the research community.

Below are some highlights covering partnerships, institutional agreements, and milestones that continue to shape our position in publishing – some of which are featured in leading industry platforms such as InPublishing, which is highly selective and reflects the growing recognition of MDPI’s growth within the publishing ecosystem.

Key Press Releases & Coverage (March–April 2026)

• MDPI × Sikt (Norway): Partnership Renewal

  We renewed our national Open Access agreement with Sikt, a key consortium partnership, continuing to support researchers across Norway through this partnership. The renewal was covered by several international publishing trade outlets.

  Covered by: Research Information, STM Publishing News, ALPSP, Europe Says

• MDPI × Jisc (UK): New Two-Year Open Access Agreement

  A new two-year agreement with Jisc significantly expands MDPI’s footprint across UK academic institutions. Coverage appeared across major publishing industry titles in the UK and internationally.

  Covered by: InPublishing, Research Information, STM Publishing News, ALPSP

• MDPI Opens First US Office

  The opening of our first US office marks an important milestone in our North American expansion to build engagement with one of the world’s leading research communities.

  Coverage by: EurekAlert!, InPublishing, EdTech Innovation Hub, STM Publishing News, ALPSP

• MDPI × SIGG: Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics

  We established a new partnership with the Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG), adding to our growing portfolio of society collaborations.

  Coverage by: EurekAlert!, STM Publishing News, ALPSP

• MDPI × Fast Track Health: New Journal Launch

  The launch of a new journal in partnership with Fast Track Health reflects our continued expansion into emerging areas of health innovation.

  Coverage by: EurekAlert!, Scienmag, STM Publishing News, ALPSP

• MDPI 2025 Annual Report

  Our 2025 Annual Report was also widely covered across international media, highlighting a 12% increase in submissions and continued investment in research integrity, infrastructure, and partnerships.

  Coverage by: EurekAlert!, Research Information, STM Publishing News, ALPSP, Choice 360

Coverage also spanned multiple regions including Poland, Romania and South Korea, reflecting our ongoing efforts to communicate more effectively with regional research communities.

Looking Ahead

This coverage shows that MDPI is growing and building on its position through partnerships, visibility, and engagement across regions. As we continue to expand, our focus remains on supporting researchers globally, building on our institutional collaborations, and advancing Open Access with integrity.

Thank you to all teams involved in delivering these initiatives, and to our External Affairs team for ensuring our work is effectively communicated across the global publishing landscape!

Coming Together for Science

Recapping MDPI Poland Summit 2026 in Krakow (23 April)

On 23 April 2206, we hosted the first MDPI Poland Summit 2026 in Kraków, bringing together an engaged group of editors, researchers, and academic leaders from the country.

The Poland Summit welcomed some 45 participants, including Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members, many with strong academic track records and international recognition.

Our engagements were open and constructive, focusing on MDPI’s positioning and reputation in Poland, alongside community interest in supporting our development, with active participation across our sessions, including Q&A and panel discussions.

MDPI Poland Summit Programme

From research integrity and peer review quality to AI in publishing and the future of academic communication, the agenda featured important topics currently shaping our industry.

During the day, MDPI colleagues shared a series of presentations covering:

• MDPI’s performance, growth, and impact in Poland: Stefan Tochev (CEO)
• Engagement with Academic Community: Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Lead)
• Research Integrity and Publication Ethics: Anna Pena (Research Integrity Manager)
• MDPI Editorial Process and Peer-Review Quality Metrics: Dr. Liliane Auwerter (Conference Organizer)
• AI in the Publishing Industry – Challenges, Innovation and MDPI’s vision: Dr. Enric Sayas (AI Product Owner)
• Panel Session: The Future of Academic Publishing, moderated by Dr. Marta Colomer 

Poland as a Key Market for Open Access

The summit also highlighted the importance of Poland within the global research landscape.

In 2025:

• 75% of publications in Poland were made in Open Access
• 71% of those in Gold Open Access
• and over 344,000 publications produced in the last five years

MDPI plays a significant role in the Polish publishing ecosystem:

• #1 Open Access publisher in Poland
• 17% share of Open Access publications in 2025
• More than 12,500 publications from Polish institutions in 2025
• More than 91,000 publications overall since 1996

Looking Ahead

Events like the Poland Summit are an important part of how we evolve as an organization. They allow us to share the latest developments of MDPI and listen directly to our researchers and editors to better understand the market and align our development with the needs of the local community.

As MDPI continues to grow, this type of engagement will remain essential in ensuring that we are not only scaling globally, but doing so in a way that is aligned, trusted, and collaborative.

With Igor Matic (Office Manager, Krakow, Poland, MDPI) at the MDPI Poland Summit in Krakow.

Closing Thoughts

Recapping MDPI Serbia Salon 2026 in Belgrade (22 April)

On 22 April 2026, we hosted the MDPI Serbia Salon 2026 in Belgrade. The Salon welcomed over 50 participants, including more than 40 invited scholars from leading Serbian institutions, alongside colleagues from MDPI. The event also marked two important milestones: 30 years of MDPI and 10 years of our presence in Serbia, making it a celebration and an opportunity for reflection.

A Platform for Exchange

The Salon was designed not just as a series of presentations, but as a place for dialogue. Throughout the day, discussions focused on important topics around publishing today: research integrity and editorial standards, journal indexing and visibility, the evolving role of artificial intelligence, and funding and support for Open Access publishing.

Program Overview

• Opening the Salon MDPI Serbia 2026 – Serbia results and direction: Emir Ramadani (Operations Manager)
• Update on MDPI’s performance and growth: Stefan Tochev (CEO)
• Collaboration with MDPI – A personal perspective: Prof. Dr Srećko Stopić (Editorial Board Member)
• Linking Scientific Quality and Visibility: The role of indexing in publishing
• Research integrity and editorial ethics: Ana Stanković (Research Integrity Specialist)
• Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Publishing – Challenges, innovations and vision of MDPI: Dr Miloš Čučulović (Head of Technology Innovation)

It was encouraging to see the high level of engagement and discussion with the local academic community.

Publishing in Serbia

With 10 years of MDPI in Serbia (since 2016) and over 620 colleagues across 10 departments spread across offices in Belgrade and Novi Sad, MDPI continues to invest in the long-term development of the research community in Serbia and beyond.

Some high-level indicators illustrate both the strength of the local research ecosystem and MDPI’s role within it:

• 12,910 total publications in Serbia in 2025, of which 8,708 (67%) were Open Access (of which, in turn, 75% were Gold OA)
• A total of more than 55,000 publications (2021–2025), with 68% published Open Access
• 2,122 MDPI publications from Serbian institutions in 2025
• 25% of all Open Access publications in Serbia are published with MDPI
• More than 11,000 MDPI publications from Serbian institutions since 1996
• More than 75 Editorial Board Members from Serbia, including Editors-in-Chief and Associate Editors.

These figures reflect the growth of OA publishing in Serbia and the strong collaboration between MDPI and Serbia's research community.

Top 5 Publishers in Serbia (MDPI #1 with steady growth)

Looking Ahead

Research integrity and artificial intelligence will remain central topics for the industry. At the same time, clear communication of editorial processes will be essential in building trust and transparency.

Workshops and direct engagement remain among the most effective ways to strengthen these connections. As Open Access funding models continue to evolve, new opportunities for collaboration are emerging across institutions, publishers, and the broader research community.

Thank You!

The excellent feedback from participants shows the value of creating spaces where ideas can be exchanged openly and constructively. Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event: our speakers, participants, and especially the MDPI Serbia team for their great organization and support.