Policy on access to research outputs
Current and future research fundamentally relies on access to the findings and ideas that come out of publicly-funded research. We fully support the concept of universal access so that everyone can benefit from this knowledge.
Research Councils UK position statement
EPSRC is strongly committed to the principles in the RCUK position statement on access to research outputs (PDF). These include that knowledge derived from publicly-funded research must be made accessible as widely as practicable and must be subject to rigorous quality assurance through peer review, that publication mechanisms must be efficient and cost effective, and that research outputs must be preserved and remain accessible for future generations.
Understanding the issues
The internet has completely changed the way we disseminate information and made Open Access possible (Open Access is defined as free, unrestricted and immediate online access to published scholarly material, primarily peer-reviewed research articles in academic journals). Whilst recognising the benefits of 'Open Access', EPSRC also recognises that a number of complex issues need to be considered. These include: determining how to assess the validity and quality of published findings; deciding how, where and by whom they should be published; agreeing how the costs of publication and long term storage should be met, and who should pay for them. To improve understanding of these issues RCUK, in collaboration with the Research Information Network and the Department of Trade and Industry, commissioned an analysis (PDF) (published in April 2009) of the availability and quality of data on scholarly journals publishing.
Two main approaches to Open Access publishing of research findings are currently in widespread use: 'Gold' (pay-to-publish) in which peer reviewed papers are published in Open Access journals which do not charge subscription fees; 'Green' in which research is published in traditional subscription journals and authors self-archive their peer reviewed papers in a digital on-line repository (often following an embargo period); in addition, a number of 'Hybrid' journals now operate which continue to charge subscriptions but offer a pay-to publish option for individual articles.
EPSRC is working with the other research councils to develop a sustainable approach to supporting increased open access to research outputs including journal articles and data.
EPSRC Policy
EPSRC Council has agreed to mandate open access publication, with the proviso that academics should be able to choose the approach best suited to their field of research. This mandate is now being implemented: EPSRC requires authors to comply with this mandate and ensure that all published research articles arising from EPSRC-sponsored research, and which are submitted for publication on or after 1st September 2011, must become available on an Open Access basis through any appropriate route. As now, publication costs may be recovered either as 'directly incurred costs' (if incurred before the end date of the relevant research project) or as indirect costs (and hence factored into the fEC indirect cost rate for the relevant research organisation).
Researchers are reminded that all EPSRC-funded research publications should acknowledge the funding source(s) using the standard format agreed by funders and publishers in 2008.