Open Access at the University of Greifswald
Quality-assured open access publications make unrestricted and free access to scientific possible by means. The publication of research results in open access formats, which apply a rigorous peer review process, fundamentally promotes the efficiency and fairness of the scientific community. It also facilitates communication between science and society and, in this respect, democratic participation in research and education policy developments. For these and other reasons, the University of Greifswald signed the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities in 2016.
Berlin Declaration
The Berlin Declaration was initiated in 2003 by the major German scientific organizations. Since then, support for Open Access within the scientific community has steadily increased. This was driven by excessive increases in subscription costs for journals from conventional scientific publishers, which, in view of the stagnating or declining library budgets of universities and research institutions, represent a massive threat to the participation of all researchers in the latest scientific findings.
How University of Greifswald supports its researchers in Open Access publishing
Open Access Officer
The University’s Open Access Officer is Ms. Stefanie Bollin. Sie can advise all members of the University on matters relating to Open Access .
Decision-making aids for the selection of reputable Open Access journals
On the University Library website you will find decision-making aids to help you check the reputation and quality of a journal before submitting an article.
Integration of open access publications in third-party funded projects
Many third-party funders allow you to request funds for article processing charges (APC) in the project budget at the application stage. It is highly recommended to make use of such possibilities when planning and carrying out externally funded projects. The Centre for Research Support and transfer (ZFF) will be happy to advise you in this matter.
Open Access Publication Fund
The University of Greifswald has set up an Open Access Publication Fund on the basis of a resolution of the Rectorate. The article processing charges (APC) for Open Access publications by academics from the University of Greifswald can be paid in full or in part, depending on the amount of the APC and taking into account the maximum funding limits, insofar as they cannot be paid from third-party funds. The Open Access Publication Fund is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) (project number: 491454319). The fund is administered by the University Library, where you will also find all further information on funding conditions, maximum funding limits, application etc.
Transformative contracts
For members of the University of Greifswald with the status "submitting corresponding author", the open access publication costs in hybrid subscription journals and partly also in gold open access journals are covered by the transformative contracts (also called publish & read contracts) concluded by the University. Further information can be found on the University Library website.
Open Access Green
Since April 2019, Greifswald researchers have been able to self-archive publications on the University of Greifswald's institutional repository.
Further information can be found here.
Open Access Steering Group
The Open Access Steering Group advises on the strategy and measures to promote Open Access at the University of Greifswald. It also decides on the focus and further development of the Open Access Publication Fund. The steering group is made up of the Vice Rector for Research, a representative from each faculty, a member of the Centre for Research Support and Transfer and the Open Access Officer of the University Library.