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Research Excellence Framework (REF) Open Access policy

The REF2021 Submission is complete. Future REF exercises are likely to continue with an Open Access Policy. Until a formal policy for a future REF is announced we will continue to apply the requirements of the REF2021 Open Access Policy. 

Requirements

  • The Author-Accepted Manuscript of all articles and conference proceedings must be deposited in an open access institutional (i.e. Open Research Online) or subject repository within 3 months of the date of acceptance with the publisher.
  • The policy covers papers accepted for publication on or after 1 April 2016.
  • The maximum permitted embargo is 12 months (for Panels A and B) or 24 months (Panels C and D).
  • Articles published as Gold open articles are exempt from the policy requirement.

This podcast explains the Research England Open Access Policy

Contact us

Library Research Support team
https://www.open.ac.uk/library-research-support/open-access-publishing/hefce-ref-open-access-policy
www.open.ac.uk
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