Half of RCUKs opt for open access model

Research papers sponsored by four RCUKs will be made available on an open access model. These are the Economic and Social Research Council, Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council, Medical Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council.

Open access campaigners welcome the announcement. Peter Suber, author of the Open Access news blog, said, “The four research councils that have adopted the mandates are exemplary. We can quibble about details, such as how far they defer to publisher copyright transfer agreements (almost always signed after the RCUK funding contracts) or their willingness to pay article processing fees at fee-based, open-access journals. By requiring open access to the research they fund, they’ve taken the biggest and most beneficial step.”

Suber called for the four remaining research councils to follow suit. “One – the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) – has indicated it will not, and will merely encourage open access. The CCLRC should remember it is disbursing public money. Taxpayers have a right to see the research they’ve funded without paying a second time.

“Moreover, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) tried the CCLRC approach in 2004 and it didn’t work. The NIH requests rather than requires open access to the research it funds and, despite its best efforts to encourage and educate its grantees, it has not been able to get more than 5% compliance. The CCLRC apparently hasn’t monitored the NIH experiment and is preparing to repeat its mistakes,” Suber said.

A CCLRC representative dismissed the criticism: “CCLRC provides the facilities for research. It is not a major grant issuing body. So the question of mandating deposit of research outputs for grant holders does not arise. CCLRC and PPARC will merge in April 2007. Together we will develop the guidance for the new research council.”

www.rcuk.ac.uk

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