Open Access Fund Pilot Project

Introduction

With support from the Office of the Provost, the WSU Libraries is starting a pilot open access fund, which is to provide early-career researchers with support for publishing in open access (OA) journals. This fund will:

• Increase the visibility and global accessibility of WSU-published research
• Provide more equitable access to researchers wishing to publish in high-impact journals
• Complement the Libraries’ efforts to move away from unsustainable, subscription-based models of providing access to research

Which publications will qualify for funding?

Funds will be awarded for publication in open access journals. In order to qualify, the journal should:

• Follow a diamond, gold, or hybrid open access model of publishing
• Be listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and/or be included in the most recent annual cumulation of Journal Citation Reports
• Adhere to the Principles of Transparency and Best Practices in Scholarly Publishing identified by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the DOAJ, the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME)

• Researchers on any WSU campus or other WSU facility may apply to WSU Libraries for up to $1,000 to support publication in an open access journal.

• Applicants should be early in their careers—associate professors, untenured professors, post-docs, or graduate students who have limited access to grant funding. In coordination with the WSU Office of Research, a three-person committee composed of the Collection Development Librarian, Scholarly Communication Librarian, and one other member will make award decisions as applications are received.

• To apply for funds, researchers will fill out an application that includes OR addresses:
  • Article Acceptance letter/email
  • Early-career status
  • Qualifying open access publication venue
  • Signature of Chair verifying that the faculty does not have access to other resources, such as start-up funds or other grants
  • Professional impact of the identified publication venue
  • Willingness to provide information that will help the libraries assess this program

Download Open Access Fund Application Form (PDF)

If you have any questions, please contact: jcummings@wsu.edu