Open Access

Here, you will find details on Open Access publishing and the requirements set by various research funding bodies.

Open Access ensures that research results are freely accessible online, enabling anyone to read, cite, or download articles. Benefits of publishing Open Access include greater visibility, a higher impact factor, and increased citations.

Funders' requirements for Open Access

Research funders may have different requirements regarding which Open Access model to use when publishing. This page provides links and information about the requirements of the most common research funders in Region Norrbotten. Swedish and international research 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 outline how the research will be made publicly accessible, which is a condition for the application to be approved.

• AFA Insurance External link, opens in new window.
  Learn more and apply for funding through the link on the homepage. Available in Swedish.
  In swedish.

Cancer Society

Currently, there is no specific requirement; however, they support and recommend publishing Open Access. Instead, they refer to the Open Access policy of the managing authority, which beneficiaries must adhere to when publishing.

• Cancer Society External link, opens in new window.
  You can make your application via the link Research grants and support.
  

Forte

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

• Gold Open Access: In openly accessible journals and on openly accessible platforms.
• Hybrid: In transformative journals or journals under transformative agreements.
• Green Open Access: In subscription-based journals, provided the final published version of the article, or a peer-reviewed, author-approved version, is deposited simultaneously and without delay in an openly accessible archive/repository.

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

• Forte External link, opens in new window.
  More information is available on Forte's website.
  
• Guidelines External link, opens in new window.
  Guidelines for publishing with open access can be found on Forte's website.
  

Heart-Lung

Currently, there is no requirement for research funded by the Heart-Lung Foundation to be published Open Access.

• Heart-Lung External link, opens in new window.
  Read more about Hjärt-Lungfonden's funding through various grants, and submit your application. In Swedish. Learn more about Hjärt-Lungfonden's funding opportunities through various grants and submit your application. Information is available in Swedish.
  

Dietary Science Fondation

Currently, there is no policy on Open Access.

• Dietary Science Fondation External link, opens in new window.
  Learn more about the Dietary Science 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 written publications published by the organisation must be made openly accessible in electronic format on their publication platform. The full text should include the necessary metadata, and in accordance with the recommendation, publications must also meet accessibility standards for individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties.

• Nordic Council of Ministers External link, opens in new window.
  Information on how to apply for funding from Nordic cooperation.
  In Swedish. Learn more about applying for funding from Nordic cooperation.
  
• Guidelines External link, opens in new window.
  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 policy on Open Access. However, the Swedish Heart and Lung Association supports the publication of research they have funded with free access.

• Riksförbundet HjärtLung External link, opens in new window.
  Learn more and submit your application via the link Forskningsanslag. Information available in Swedish.
  

Sanofi

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

• Sanofi External link, opens in new window.
  Learn more about Sanofi Sweden. Information available in Swedish.
  

Swedish Medical Society

No specific requirement for Open Access has been stated.

• Swedish Medical Society External link, opens in new window.
  Apply for funding and learn more about the Swedish Medical Society here.
  Information available in Swedish.
  

Vetenskapsrådet/The Swedish Research Council

Publication results from research that is wholly or partly funded by the Swedish Research Council must be made immediately available to all, without delay. 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 new guidelines apply to researchers receiving grants from October 2022 onwards.

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 the links below:

• The Swedish Research Council External link, opens in new window.
  In the menu, select Applying for funding to find more information about their requirements and terms.
  
• Guidelines External link, opens in new window.
  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 with Open Access without delay. The requirement currently applies only to scientific articles published in journals or conference proceedings.
Publication must occur in one of the following ways:

• Gold Open Access: In open-access journals or on open-access platforms.
• Hybrid: In transformative journals or journals under transformative agreements.
• Green Open Access: In subscription journals, provided that the final published version of the article or a peer-reviewed, author-approved version is deposited simultaneously, and without delay, in an openly accessible archive/repository.
  An open license (CC-BY) must be used for publication.
  Learn more using the links below:
  

• Vinnova External link, opens in new window.
  Learn more about Vinnova.
  
• Vinnova's general guidelines External link, opens in new window.
  Vinnova's general terms and conditions for funding.

The Wallenberg Foundations

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

• The Wallenberg Foundations External link, opens in new window.
  Learn more and choose the relevant foundation to submit your application.
  

Others

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

• Open policy finder External link, opens in new window.
  Information about funders' Open Access conditions. Open policy finder was formerly known as Sherpa Services.

Open Access journals

Gold Open Access journals were created as an alternative to the traditional journal market. These journals are characterised by offering content freely available on the internet, while the author retains copyright over their article. Typically, authors are required to pay a publication fee, known as an Article Processing Charge, APC, to publish in these journals. Other Gold Open Access journals cover their costs through mechanisms such as membership fees or support from research institutions. The peer review process for Open Access journals works similarly to that of traditional journals, ensuring quality, though, as with traditional journals, the quality may vary.

Finding Open Access journals

Gold Open Access journals can be found in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), a database that lists international Open Access journals that maintain high scientific standards and adhere to best practices, such as peer review. Policies on parallel publishing are available in Open policy finder.

• DOAJ External link, opens in new window.
  The Directory of Open Access Journals includes thousands of Open Access journals across various fields, such as engineering, medicine, social sciences and humanities.
• Open policy finder External link, opens in new window.
  Information about open access publishing and policies, such as for self-archiving. Open policy finder was previously known as Sherpa Services.

Parallel publishing

What is parallel publishing? Here you can learn more about different article versions, embargo periods, and key considerations before publishing. Parallel publishing, or green Open Access publishing, refers to the practice of making a copy of an article published in a scientific journal available in institutional archives and publication databases. There are specific conditions to consider when parallel publishing your research, as each journal has different policies regarding what is allowed. You can find detailed information on these policies in the Open policy finder. However, it’s also important to verify that the information matches the publisher’s website.

• Open policy finder External link, opens in new window.
  Information about open access publishing and policies, such as for self-archiving. Open Policy Finder was previously known as Sherpa Services.

Article versions

Articles can exist in different versions, such as:

• Preprint: This is the version of the article before it has undergone peer review or been accepted for publication.
• Postprint: This version appears after peer review and acceptance, incorporating revisions made during that process. However, it lacks the journal’s final layout, pagination, and other publisher-specific elements.
• Publisher's Version or 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. Alternatively, you can amend the publishing agreement with the publisher before submitting your article to specify the rights you wish to retain.

Things to consider

• Avoid publishing a preprint version of your article, such as in an open institutional digital archive, before submitting it to a publisher. Some publishers may view this as prior publication and reject your article as a result.
• 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 accessible to everyone from the moment of publication.

Copyright

As a researcher, maintaining control over the copyright of your publications is essential, particularly 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 typically receive a publication agreement to sign. It's crucial to read this agreement thoroughly to understand the terms. Additionally, ensure you save the submitted version of your manuscript, as many publishers do not permit parallel publishing using the publisher’s PDF file or the author’s version.

• SPARC Author Addendum External link, opens in new window.
  Discover more about SPARC, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition. They offer an author addendum that you can utilise 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 where your rights are limited or waived. However, many journals still permit making articles freely available under certain conditions. For instance, you can explore parallel publishing policies using the Open Policy Finder.

• Open policy finder External link, opens in new window.
  Find information about funders' Open Access requirements. Open Policy Finder was 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 suffices. Include the following details:

• 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 on the internet. 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. However, it is also possible to apply a CC license to other materials that are freely published online.

• Creative Commons External link, opens in new window.
  Learn more about the different Creative Commons licenses and their terms on the Creative Commons website.
  

Predatory publishers

When publishing Open Access, it is crucial to evaluate journals or 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 like editorial oversight or 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 associated with 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 thoroughly to understand the terms and ensure your rights are protected.

• Open Access and predatory publishers External link, opens in new window.
  Pieta Eklund from the University of Borås has created a guide offering practical advice on how to assess Open Access publishers and journals. This guide can help researchers make informed decisions when choosing where to publish.
  
• Think Check Submit External link, opens in new window.
  This initiative provides a checklist of key factors to consider before submitting your work to a journal, ensuring the publication meets quality and ethical standards.