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Open Access: What do I do if funder requirements don't apply?

Research without funder Open Access requirements

Even if you have no external funding, or your funder does not require Open Access, research-active staff and postgraduate research students still need to meet the requirements of DMU's Open Access policy.  In addition, research-active staff need to meet the requirements of the national research assessment programme (currently known as the REF).  The sections below take you through how to meet these requirements.

DMU Open Access Policy

DMU Open Access Policy: key points

  • For all outputs: Authors are required to record the metadata of all forms of research output in the institutional Outputs Repository (currently DORA).  This includes outputs co-authored with another institution.  

  • For journal articles and published conference proceedings: Authors are required to deposit in the institutional Outputs Repository, the Author Accepted Manuscript of all journal articles and published conference proceedings arising from scholarly research (including where co-authored with another institution). This must be done either:  

    • prior to the publisher’s online publication date (if the funder of the research mandates Open Access from publication); or  

  • within three months of the publisher’s online publication date (if no funder stipulations apply).  

  • If using the Green’ Open Access route, authors must check that the publisher will allow the embargo limit and creative commons licence required by the research funder (if applicable) and the REF.  

  • N.B. meeting funder requirements will normally also meet REF requirements. 

  • N.B. some funders might require you to also deposit to an outputs repository. 

  • Authors are responsible for meeting the Open Access requirements placed on their research by funding bodies, regulatory agencies or under the terms of a research contract 

Open Access funding

Journal articles

DMU has a small fund to cover Open Access charges for articles in fully open access journals/conference proceedings/platforms.  This fund is available for DMU researchers publishing from UKRI-funded research and for DMU researchers without funders who cover Open Access costs.  Before applying, please read the eligibility criteria.   

Use the online application form to apply for this fund (N.B. You will need to sign in using your DMU Single Sign On).

Books and chapters

If your book or chapter is based on your UKRI-funded research. We may be able to access funds from UKRI to support Open Access publishing. Please contact openaccess@dmu.ac.uk at the earliest opportunity, and before making any agreements with publishers.

REF Open Access Policy

Meeting REF 2029 Open Access requirements: a video guide

REF Open Access video (5.12 mins)