Publication Fund to support Open Access in scientific publications

Background

The publication of scientific articles in open access journals is becoming increasingly important. The number of freely accessible publications in Germany over the last 5 years already accounts for more than 55% of all publications. (Source: Open Access Monitor, 17.05.2022). Free access to scientific knowledge for all is considered a desirable goal. In this way, barriers to payment are to be dismantled and scientific publishing made more open. This is supported by the German Science Council and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, among others.

Like many other scientific institutions, H-BRS supports the transformation process towards Open Access: in 2021, it signed the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities and adopted Open Access guidelines. Support and advice on the topic of Open Access is provided by the Research Services of the library.

Costs

Publishers charge so-called “Article Processing Charges” (APCs) for the open-access publication of research results. These fees vary widely depending on the journal. On average, costs of around €2,500 gross per publication should be expected. Content published in this way is then accessible online without a paywall.

Support from H-BRS

To support the transformation towards Open Access for free access to scientific information, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences would like to provide its researchers with the opportunity to receive funding for Open Access publication costs through the central publication fund also for the year 2023. This is financed from the funds of the University Development Plan of the Department for Research and Young Academics. Funding is available for scientific articles in gold and hybrid open access journals published after January 01, 2022 (the publication date applies here).

Applications can be made for partial funding of the Open Access publication fees of up to 1000 Euro for articles in hybrid journals and up to 1300 Euro in gold open access journals. Further funding criteria can be found on the intranet.

Funding of scientific Open Access monographs

In order to also support the publication of monographs in Open Access, the central publication fund offers partial financing of Open Access publication costs.

Supported publications

These publications have received partial funding from the H-BRS Publication Fund: