Open Access

Open Access means free access to scientific publications via the Internet. Open Access is supported by scientific organisations, academic institutions and libraries around the world.  The aims of efforts are:

  • rapid, worldwide dissemination of scientific information
  • free access to the results of publicly funded research
  • increased visibility and citation frequency of documents
  • simplified use for further research
  • promotion of interdisciplinary and international cooperation
  • long-term availability of documents

Are you an academic at the University of Basel and would like to make the results of your research visible?

We support you with various options in order to make your publications openly accessible.

Contact and Support

In practice, a distinction is made between two Open Access strategies:

  • Green Road: Self-archiving or secondary publication of conventionally published contributions on subject-specific or institutional servers (repositories). At the University of Basel, the edoc document server is available for this purpose.
  • Gold Road: Primary publication of academic articles in quality-assured (peer reviewed) Open Access journals.

Open Access at the University of Basel and in Switzerland

The University of Basel is a cosignatory of the "Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities" and has had an Open Access policy since 2013.

In 2006, the most important scientific institutions in Switzerland signed the Berlin Declaration. Since 2007, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has required recipients of its funding to publish their research results in the form of digital publications that are freely available on the Internet (Open Access publications).

In 2017 and 2018, swissuniversities and the Schweizerische Hochschulkonferenz adopted a national Open Access strategy for Switzerland and a corresponding action plan, with the goal that by 2024 all scientific publications financed with public funds must be freely accessible on the Internet.

 

Open Access journals cover the same quality spectrum as conventional publications. Special features are:

  • The digital publication has priority over the printed format.
  • The articles are freely accessible on the Internet from the time of their publication (no embargo period for the latest issues).
  • Instead of subscription or license fees, publication costs are covered by alternative funding models.
  • Around a quarter of Open Access journals require that publication fees are paid (pre-financing model).

Financing of Open Access publication costs, extended until 2024

University of Base has made a complimentary fund available for Open Access publications, for which the Article Processing Charge (APC) or Book Chapter Processing Charge is not covered by third-party funding.

Please note: The awards are available to the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Philosophy and History, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Psychology.

Members of the University of Basel can apply for funding if their publications meet the following criteria:

  • Main authors or corresponding authors belong to the University of Basel (unibas email address).
  • The publication is a journal article or a book contribution.
  • The contribution appears in a purely Open Access publication.
  • The journal has a peer-review process or fulfils equivalent evaluation criteria as established for that subject.
  • There is no third-party funding that also cover the costs for Open Access publications.
  • Funding is limited to a maximum of two contributions per person per calendar year.

Funding of up to CHF 2500 is possible.

Hybrid Open Access publications and entire Open Access books are not funded.

Please check in time the financing possibility for your contribution.

Please submit your application via https://www.oa-fund.unibas.ch

Applicants will be informed promptly, whether the publication will be funded or not. Applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. The date of receipt will be used for consideration, should the funds be used up ahead of schedule. For this reason, we recommend to check preliminary the funding possibilities.

All major research sponsors support Open Access publications. Information about the application options may be found on the sponsors’ websites:

If you have questions, please contact openaccess@clutterunibas.ch

Publisher / DiscountDetails / Procedure
  
GenerallySome publishers limited the number of eligible articles. After exhaustion of the quota, the funding must be organized independently. Alternatively, authors may opt out paid open access via publisher and go for green open access instead (on edoc.unibas.ch via research platform UNIverse).
AAAS - Science Advances: 15%

As a member of the GASCO Consortium, the University of Basel offers its members a 15% discount on the Article Processing Charges in Science Advances. AAAS members are entitled to an additional 4% discount.

Procedure: The discount is subtracted at the time of payment of the publication fee (Apply discount -> Affiliation discount). AAAS members must also enter their "Member number" under "Membership discount".

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): 100%Thanks to an "ACM Open" agreement, University of Basel articles are made freely accessible in all journals and conference proceedings published in the ACM digital library, without the corresponding authors being required to pay Article Processing Charges. This applies to articles published from 1.1.2022.
To be allocated to the agreement, use your @unibas.ch mail and choose Institutionally Paid Open Access in the "Open ACM Open Rights Form".
For retroactive allocation of articles, you may contact 
openaccess@unibas.ch .
American Chemical Society (ACS): 40% - 100% from 2023

For articles whose research is not funded by the SNSF, corresponding authors of the university and the University Hospital Basel can choose the Open Access option free of charge in the "transformative" (Hybrid Open Access) and "fully open access" (Gold Open Access) journals: Title list. The article quota is limited and is expected to last until the end of the year. Once the quota limit has been reached, a reduced APC of $ 3’000 will apply. 

For articles whose research is funded by the SNSF, the APCs for "fully open access" will be taken over by the SNSF. However, when publishing in a "transformative journal" (Hybrid Open Access), the APC of $ 3'000 must be self-funded. No discount for ACS Omega. More information about ACS

Update October 2023: The limited article quota has been exhausted. For 2024 there will be a new quota.

American Institute of Physics: 100%Thanks to a "Read&Publish" contract, University of Basel articles are made freely accessible in these subscription-based (hybrid) journals and in the AIP Conference Proceedings, without the corresponding authors being required to pay Article Processing Charges. This applies to articles accepted from 1.1.2022. There is a quota of eligible articles. Procedure see Instructions . In addition, the access will be extended to all journals published by AIP and to the Conference Proceedings from 2022.
Biochemical Society/Portland Press: 15%University of Basel authors benefit from this discount for all Portland Press journals. Additional information: Portland Press - Open Access Policy
BioMed Central (BMC): 15%The affiliation of University of Basel authors is automatically recognised by their IP address when submitting their manuscript. Additional information: Membership University of Basel
British Medical Journal (BMJ): 25%

University of Basel authors benefit from this discount on all BMJ journals with Open Access options. Additional information: Institutional Membership - Open Access Programme

Procedure: Use your @unibas.ch email address

Special case: BMJ Case Reports journal: The University of Basel has an institutional fellowship. Affiliated corresponding authors do not have to become individual Fellows themselves. The institutional Fellowship Code can be obtained from the University Library.

Cambridge University Press (CUP): 100%For Hybrid Open Access and Gold Open Access Journals. List of the participating journals. The option will be offered to the corresponding authors from the University and the University Hospitals of Basel during the publication process. Further information ...
Cogitatio Press: 100%

University of Basel main authors ("corresponding authors") do not need to pay a publication fee for publishing articles in the Publisher’s journals

Procedure: When submitting your manuscript, the publisher will check your affiliation to the University of Basel based on your @unibas.ch email address.

The Company of Biologists: 100%

Thanks to a "Read&Publish" contract, University of Basel articles are made freely accessible in all journals (hybrid and gold oa), without the corresponding authors being required to pay Article Processing Charges. This agreement is effective for articles accepted from 1.1.2022 (Guide for authors). Not valid for review articles.
De Gruyter: 90%University of Basel authors pay only 10% of the APC in the subscribed hybrid open access journals. The publication portal Rights Link indicates the discount upon acceptance of the manuscript. To apply the price reduction, the institution Uni Basel needs to be selected from a drop-down list. If you think the article is eligible, but the invoice is not discounted, contact openaccess@clutterunibas.ch  before paying the APC.
Elsevier: 100%

Authors from Swiss academic institutions submitting an article to one of the publisher Elsevier’s journals from 1.1.2020, can select the "Gold Open Access" option free of charge. The University Library recommends that you select this option and select the CC BY 4.0 version. A corresponding note "I do not have to pay an APC. ... the agreement between Elsevier and Swiss institutions will cover the APC." will be displayed during the submission process (manual). A prerequisite is that you enter "University Basel" or "University Hospital Basel" in the author address. Excluded are Cell Press journals, The Lancet... journals and various society-published titles (List of participating journals). The quota of eligible articles is limited but expected to be sufficient for all articles submitted from 2020 (see update). The quota of manuscripts submitted 2020 - 2022 is limited, but expected to sufficient (see update). From "submission date" 2023 the number of eligible articles is unlimited. Instructions on the worklflow and title lists by Elsevier.

Update on Ongoing Negotiations with Elsevier: preparations for a scenario without agreement as of 2024. Articles submitted to Core Hybrid and Core Gold Elsevier journals until 31 December 2023 can still be published Open Access in 2024. For articles submitted from 1.1.2024 onwards, university authors should not choose the free "Gold Open Access" option until further notice. Finde more information in the FAQ compiled by swissuniversities.

Frontiers: 0%University of Basel does not participate in the Swiss consortial agreement with Frontiers. Therefore, there is no central APC funding by the University.

IEEE: 100%

Thanks to a read&publish-agreement, articles by corresponding authors from University of Basel do not need to pay article processing charges for articles in the Fully OA Topical Journals published by IEEE (Gold OA). This applies to manuscripts accepted from 1.1.2022. There is a quota of eligible articles. The agreement does not cover open access charges in the IEEE subscription journals and conference proceedings (hybrid open access).
To be allocated to the agreement, use your @unibas.ch mail and select University of Basel from the dropdown list in the publication portal. 
Institute of Physics: 100%Thanks to a read&publish-agreement, articles by corresponding authors from University of Basel in the subscription based (hybrid open access) and in the gold open access journals by IoP may be published open access no cost for article processing charges. This applies for manuscripts accepted by these journals from 1.1.2022. Workflow & Guide
Karger: 100%Procedure: Please complete the information under "Open Access Agreements" when submitting your article. A prerequisite is the addition of "University Basel" or "University Hospital Basel" in the author’s address. List of participating journals.
LWW: 100%Thanks to a read&publish-agreement, articles by corresponding authors from University and University Hospital Basel in the subscription based journals by LWW may be published open access at no cost for article processing charges. This applies for manuscripts accepted from 1.1.2022. There is a limited quota of articles. Eligible journals
MDPI: 20%In order to benefit from this arrangement, authors must select the University of Basel from the list of institutions ("Institute") which have an MDPI membership, and thereby confirm their affiliation. Additional information: Institutional Members
Nature Research Journals: 100% from 2023Corresponding authors affiliated with University of Basel or University Hospital Basel may select a free open access option in the Nature Research Journals offering hybrid open access (Nature and all titles beginning withe Nature except Nature Reviews, Nature Protocols, Nature Communications). This applies to the articles accepted in the approval portal from 1. January 2023. A limited number of APCs estimated to be used up by early May is prepaid by the agreement negotiated by swissuniversities and paid by the universieties. Information by Springer Nature and by swissuniversieties.
Nucleic Acids Research (NAR): 10%The institutional membership including 50% discount on APC is supended.
Oxford University Press: 100% from 2023

All journals published by OUP are accessible in the unibas network, from the most recent articles back to the very first issues. From 2023, the open access option in subscription based journals will be funded by a read&publish agreement. Further information for authors and a list of eligible journals

!!! Do not pay an apc-invoice, if you think that the article is eligible, even if you triggered one. Refund is not feasible. However, "page charges" and optional "colour in print charges" are not covered by the contract an need to be paid. OUP will launch an automated allocation system SciPris later. If in doubt, contact openaccess@clutteroup.com, to refer the article to the CSAL contract. 10% discount on APC in fully open access journals.

PLOS Journals: 0%University of Basel does not participate in the Swiss consortial agreement with Public Library of Science. Therefore, there is no central funding by the University.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS)

University of Basel authors pay USD 4'995 instaed of USD 5'495 for Immmediate Open Access. Procedure: There is no automatic system that recognises authors whose institutions have a site licence. This must be indicated when completing the accounting information.

Royal Society 25%The discount is relevant for all journals from this publisher (hybrid and full open access). Additional information: Open Access Publishing and Open Access Membership
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC): 100%

Thanks to a "Read&Publish" contract, University of Basel articles are made freely accessible in the publisher’s subscription-based (hybrid) journals, without the corresponding authors being required to pay Article Processing Charges. List of participating journals. Procedure: Instructions

SAGE: 100%100% in Hybrid Open Access Journals, and from 2023 in Gold Open Access Journals too. More information and title lists.
SCOAP3: 100%Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics. List of participating journals

Springer: 15% - 100%

 

Hybrid OA Springer Open Choice (100%): Authors at the University of Basel or the associated University Hospitals submitting a manuscript, will be recognized by their affiliation, their mail address Mail-Adresse, and the IP-range. They will see the notice «Special open access agreement», and may select the free option  "Open Access». This applies to the articles accepted from 1. July 2020 for the journals on the platform Springer LINK offering the option «Open Choice». The quota of eligible articles is expected to suffice until around the end of the year(see update). List of participating journals. More informationen, journal list, and a "Guide for authors" by Springer

Gold OA SpringerOpen (15%): Membership University of Basel
Procedure: The affiliation of University of Basel authors is recognised automatically when submitting a manuscript from their IP address

Taylor & Francis: 100%

For all Hybrid Open Access and Gold Open Access Journals, see list of participating journals.The option will be offered to the corresponding authors from the University of Basel and the University Hospitals of Basel during the publication process. The quota of eligible articles is limited, but high enough to cover all articles.More information on publishers website.

Update 13.2.2024: new agreement as of February 2024 also incluedes Gold Open Access publications at Dove Press and F1000 Research platform.

Wiley: 100%

Hybrid Open Access Wiley (100%): Authors at the University of Basel and the associated University Hospitals of Basel submitting a manuscript, may select a free open access option during the publication process as described in „Funder Agreements and Payments“. This applies to the articles accepted from 1. May 2021 by hybrid open access journals published by Wiley. Gold open access journals are excluded from this agreement.

Gold Open Access Journals: no discount.
In 2023 and 2024 several journals flip to the gold open access model. After this flipping the APC is not covered by the agreement and needs to be funded by other sources.

The SNSF adapted its Open Access guidelines in 2023. All articles must now be made freely accessible immediately. These changes are relevant for all research projects approved from 2023 onwards.

cOAlition S is an association of research funders who are committed to free and unrestricted access to academic publications. In 2022, the SNSF joined cOAlition S and has adapted its funding conditions accordingly since 2023:

All publications resulting from SNSF projects submitted after January 1, 2023, must be published Open Access without an embargo and under a CC-BY licence (a 12-month embargo is accepted for books). The Rights Retention Strategy (RRS) is a mechanism for fulfilling these requirements.

The Open Access requirements can still be met in three ways: Publication in an Open Access journal (gold route), in a hybrid journal, or as a manuscript version (Author Accepted Manuscript) in a digital archive (secondary publication or green Open Access route).

Researchers who make their publication freely accessible by means of secondary publication via the green Open Access route can use the following standard wording and include it in all manuscript versions (Submitted to Author Accepted Manuscript):

“This research was funded in whole or in part by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) [Grant number]. For the purpose of Open Access, a CC BY public copyright licence is applied to any Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) version arising from this submission.”

If researchers receive a negative decision regarding the Rights Retention Strategy from the publisher during the publication process and still have to comply with a blocking or embargo period, then the written correspondence with the publisher should be retained. In this way, efforts to comply with the funding requirements can be demonstrated to the SNSF.

Those who wish to publish their paper in an academic Open Access journal often pay publication fees, so-called Article Processing Charges, to cover the costs of editorial processes, marketing and quality control. With the emergence of Open Access publication models, dubious journals are also entering the publication market. So-called "predatory journals" demand publication fees for editorial services that are not provided or are provided with low quality. These unethical business practices not only damage the academic publication landscape and Open Access, but are also not without consequences for the reputation of the authors.

When looking for a suitable journal in which to publish, it is worth paying more attention, particularly when journals are not known and the following aspects are noticed:

Correspondence

  • Request for submission by email when contact details are unclear and a submission system is missing
  • Email exchanges with generalised salutation and automatically-generated emails

Journal

  • Title begins with International, Global, World, American, European, Advanced Journal of… and/or is very similar to a well-known journal
  • The website and articles contain advertisements and are poorly laid out
  • Misleading or non-existent reference numbers: ISSN (link ISSN: portal.issn.org) is not entered, own impact factor, founding date and number of issues are unknown
  • No archiving of previously-published issues
  • The editorial board is not related to the subject, is not listed or its members cannot be found or can be found with different affiliations

Publishing

  • A quick publication process could indicate deficient quality control and a lack of peer review procedures
  • Missing licences and user agreements
  • Non-transparent publication costs

If in doubt, it should be checked if the journal

  • is listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
  • is referenced in relevant specialist databases
  • publisher is a member of the "Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association" (OASPA) or the "Committee on Publication Ethics" (COPE)
  • has had a complaint made against it in Cabells Predatory Reports (only within the computer network of the University of Basel)

If you have any questions, please contact openaccess@unibas.ch

SCOAP3 - Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics: The financial support of the SCOAP3 Initiative by the University of Basel enables free publishing in the most important journals for particle physics, with publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, IOP Publishing, Oxford University Press or Hindawi. The University’s membership fees are paid by the Department of Physics.

A list of participating publishers and journals is found here.

The University Library offers researchers of the University of Basel guidance and infrastructures to enable them to publish their work Open Access on the "Gold Road" (primary publication) as well as on the "Green Road" (secondary publication).

  • edoc: You would like to make your previously published publications available Open Access? Here you will find information about secondary publication on the edoc institutional repository of the University of Basel.
  • eterna: You are the editor of a journal and would like to publish it Open Access? The University Library Basel’s eterna periodicals portal is available to you and we would be happy to advise you further.

emono: You would like to publish a book or a series Open Access from the outset? The University Library Basel’s emono publication platform is available to members of the university and we would be happy to advise you about additional options.

What to do, if a full-text article is not accessible?

The University Library Basel recommends the following steps to researchers and students: a search for the full-text article using academic search engines, a search using browser extensions for Open Access, requesting information from researchers. You can find further information here.

If you have any questions, please contact openaccess@clutterunibas.ch

On 8 October 2019, the Rectorate of the University of Basel adopted the revised Open Access Policy.

Your contacts for Open Access at the University Library