Open Access

Here you will find information on Open Access publishing and the requirements set by different research funding bodies.

Open Access makes research results freely available online, so that anyone can read, cite, and download articles. Benefits of publishing Open Access include greater visibility, higher impact and more citations.

Funders' requirements for Open Access

Research funders may have different requirements for which Open Access model to use when publishing. This page provides links and information about the requirements of major research funders in Region Norrbotten.

Both Swedish and international funders may specify different models for Open Access publishing, such as Gold, Green, or Hybrid. Here you will find links to some of the most prominent research funders in Region Norrbotten, with details on their Open Access requirements.

AFA Insurance

AFA Insurance has specific requirements for Open Access. In the application, researchers must describe how the research results will be made publicly accessible. This is a condition for the application to be approved.

• AFA Insurance
  Learn more and apply for funding through the homepage. Information available in Swedish.
  

Cancer Society

No specific Open Access requirement, but they support and recommend Open Access publishing. Beneficiaries must follow the Open Access policy of the managing authority when publishing.

• Cancer Society
  Apply via the link Research grants and support. Information available in Swedish.
  

Forte

From 2021, Forte has adopted the requirements and conditions outlined in Plan S. This means that research funded by Forte must be published Open Access without delay. The requirement currently applies only to scientific articles published in journals or conference proceedings. Publication should take place in one of the following ways:

• Gold Open Access: In journals or on platforms that are openly accessible.
• Hybrid: In transformative journals or journals covered by transformative agreements.
• Green Open Access: In subscription-based journals, provided that the final published version, or a peer-reviewed, author-approved version, is deposited immediately in an openly accessible repository.

An open license (CC BY) must be used for publication. Learn more through these links:

• Forte
  More information is available on Forte’s website.
  
• Guidelines
  Guidelines for publishing Open Access are available on Forte’s website.
  

Heart-Lung

Currently, the Heart-Lung Foundation does not require research it funds to be published Open Access.

• Heart-Lung
  Learn more about funding opportunities and submit your application. Information is available in Swedish.
  

Dietary Science Fondation

Currently, there is no policy on Open Access.

• Dietary Science Fondation
  Learn more about the foundation and contact them if you have any questions.
  

The Nordic Council of Ministers

According to the policy of the Nordic Council of Ministers, all publications must be made openly accessible in electronic format on their publication platform. The full text should include the necessary metadata, and publications must also follow accessibility standards for individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties.

• Nordic Council of Ministers
  Learn more about applying for funding from Nordic cooperation.
  
• Guidelines
  Guidelines for publication on the Nordic Council of Ministers’ website. Information available in Swedish.
  

The Swedish Heart and Lung Association

Currently, there is no specific Open Access policy. However, the Swedish Heart and Lung Association supports making research they have funded freely accessible.

• Riksförbundet HjärtLung
  Learn more and submit your application via the link Forskningsanslag. Information available in Swedish.
  

Sanofi

Sanofi does not have a specific Open Access policy. Instead, the terms of their current agreement must be followed.

• Sanofi
  Learn more about Sanofi Sweden. Information available in Swedish.
  

Swedish Medical Society

No specific requirement for Open Access has been stated.

• Swedish Medical Society
  Apply for funding and learn more about the Swedish Medical Society here.
  

Vetenskapsrådet/The Swedish Research Council

Results from research wholly or partly funded by the Swedish Research Council must be made immediately available to all. This means that Open Access publication must occur at the same time as the research results are published in another format, such as in a subscription-based journal.

This requirement applies to all types of scientific publications, including articles, monographs, books, and book chapters. The guidelines apply to researchers receiving grants from October 2022 onwards.

An open license (CC BY) must be used for publication. This license can also be applied to books, although in some cases, different licenses may be required for text and image content. Learn more through these links:

• The Swedish Research Council
  In the menu, select Applying for funding to find more information about requirements and terms.
  
• Guidelines
  Guidelines for Open Access publication on the Swedish Research Council’s website.
  

Vinnova

Since 2021, Vinnova has implemented the requirements and conditions outlined in Plan S. This means that research funded by Vinnova must be published Open Access without delay. The requirement currently applies only to scientific articles published in journals or conference proceedings. Publication must take place in one of the following ways:

• Gold Open Access: In Open Access journals or on Open Access platforms.
• Hybrid: In transformative journals or journals covered by transformative agreements.
• Green Open Access: In subscription-based journals, provided that the final published version, or a peer-reviewed, author-approved version, is deposited immediately in an openly accessible repository.

An open license (CC BY) must be used for publication. Learn more using these links:

• Vinnova
  Learn more about Vinnova.
  
• Vinnova's general guidelines
  Vinnova's general terms and conditions for funding.

The Wallenberg Foundations

Research funded by the Wallenberg Foundations must be published Open Access. The additional cost for this can be included as a direct cost in project applications.

• The Wallenberg Foundations
  Learn more and choose the relevant foundation to submit your application.
  

Others

International research funding bodies with Open Access requirements can be found in Open Policy Finder.

• Open policy finder
  Information about funders’ Open Access conditions. Previously known as Sherpa Services.
  

Open Access journals

Gold Open Access journals were created as an alternative to the traditional journal market. These journals offer content that is freely available on the internet, while authors retain copyright of their articles. Typically, authors pay a publication fee, known as an Article Processing Charge (APC). Other Gold Open Access journals cover costs through membership fees or support from research institutions. The peer review process in Open Access journals works much like that in traditional journals, ensuring quality, although quality may vary in both types.

Finding Open Access journals

Gold Open Access journals can be found in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), a database of international journals that meet high scientific standards and follow best practices, such as peer review. Policies on parallel publishing are available in Open Policy Finder.

• DOAJ – Directory of Open Access Journals
  Open access, peer-reviewed scientific journals in various subject areas.
  
• Open policy finder
  Information about Open Access publishing and policies, such as self-archiving. Previously known as Sherpa Services.

Parallel publishing

Here you can learn more about different article versions, embargo periods, and key considerations before publishing. Parallel publishing, also called Green Open Access, means making a copy of an article published in a scientific journal available in an institutional archive or publication database.

There are specific conditions to consider when parallel publishing, as each journal has its own policies on what is allowed. You can find detailed information about these policies in the Open Policy Finder. However, it is important to verify that this information matches what is stated on the publisher’s website.

• Open policy finder
  Information about Open Access publishing and policies, such as self-archiving. Previously known as Sherpa Services.

Article versions

Articles can exist in different versions:

• Preprint: The version of the article before peer review and before acceptance for publication.
• Postprint: The version after peer review and acceptance, including revisions made during the review process. It does not include the journal’s final layout, pagination, or other publisher-specific elements.
• Publisher’s Version (PDF): The final version of the article, formatted with the journal’s pagination, logo, layout, and other distinctive features.

Embargo

Some publishers enforce embargo periods, meaning that an article can only be parallel-published after a specified time. This typically applies to the postprint version of the article.

Challenges with parallel publishing

If a journal does not permit parallel publishing, or if its policy is unclear, you can contact the publisher for clarification. Another option is to amend the publishing agreement before submitting your article, to specify the rights you wish to retain.

Things to consider

• Avoid publishing a preprint version of your article in an open institutional archive before submitting it to a publisher. Some publishers may view this as prior publication and reject your article.
• Before submitting your research to a journal, carefully review your publishing contract. There may be specific conditions that are not covered in resources like Open Policy Finder.
  

Open Access journals

Publishing your research in an Open Access journal ensures that it is freely available to everyone from the moment of publication.

Copyright

As a researcher, maintaining control over the copyright of your publications is essential, especially when they are made freely available online.

Before publishing a new article

When a manuscript is accepted for publication in a journal, or during electronic submission, researchers usually receive a publication agreement to sign. It is important to read this agreement carefully to understand the terms.

Make sure to also save the submitted version of your manuscript, since many publishers do not permit parallel publishing of the publisher’s PDF file or the author’s formatted version.

• SPARC Author Addendum
  Learn more about SPARC – the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition. They provide an author addendum that you can use to retain key rights to your work.
  

Previously published material

If you, as a researcher, have previously published material, your agreement with the publisher may include terms that limit or waive your rights. However, many journals still allow articles to be made freely available under certain conditions. For example, you can explore parallel publishing policies using the Open policy finder.

• Open policy finder
  Information about funders’ Open Access requirements. Previously referred to as Sherpa Services.
  

Request permission to parallel publish

For books and some articles, researchers often need to contact the publisher to request permission for parallel publishing. Usually, a simple letter is enough. Be sure to include:

• The title of the work.
• Original publication details, such as publication name, volume, issue, page numbers.
  
• Where the copy will be made available.

Creative Commons licenses

By publishing Open Access, you as a researcher retain the copyright to your work. This allows you to freely distribute the material online.

Creative Commons (CC) is a valuable tool for authors who want to share their work openly. It offers six different licenses that specify how the material can be used. Many Open Access journals assign a CC license to publications upon release. It is also possible to apply a CC license to other materials that are freely published online.

• Creative Commons
  Learn more about the different Creative Commons licenses and their terms on the Creative Commons website.
  

Predatory publishers

When publishing Open Access, it is important to evaluate journals and publishers carefully before signing a publication agreement. Open Access publishers often cover costs through article processing charges (APCs), a model that has unfortunately led to the rise of predatory publishers.

These fake publishers create journals solely to generate income, often bypassing essential practices such as editorial oversight and peer review. They may send spam emails to researchers, offering quick publication times or low fees. To identify and avoid predatory publishers, consider the following:

• Reputation: Is the journal linked to a reputable publisher, research institute, or university?
• Website credibility: Does the publisher’s website provide clear and professional information?
• Editorial transparency: Is there detailed information about the editorial board and contact details?
• Previous publications: Which researchers have published in the journal? Are the articles credible?
• Quality of communication: Is the publishing offer well-written? Poor grammar and spelling are warning signs.
• Peer consultation: Have your colleagues received similar offers to publish or join the editorial board?

If you choose to proceed with a lesser-known publisher, always read the publishing agreement carefully to understand the terms and ensure your rights are protected.

• Open Access and predatory publishers
  Guide by Pieta Eklund (University of Borås) with practical advice on how to assess Open Access publishers and journals.
  
• Think Check Submit
  Initiative providing a checklist of key factors to consider before submitting your work, helping ensure the journal meets quality and ethical standards.