Open Access Book Fund pilot

The Open University is currently piloting an Open Access Book Fund which will run for 2 years from 1^st August 2024. This fund can be used to meet the Open Access costs (up to a maximum of £10,000) of publishing a book for OU academic staff and members of research staff.

The fund is administered on a first-come, first-served basis, but will prioritise applications for books which are likely to be submitted to Research Excellence Framework 2029 (REF2029). Applicants should discuss their book proposal/funding application with the appropriate Unit of Assessment (UOA) Lead prior to submitting their application, who will be asked by the Open Access Book Fund Review panel to provide a statement in support of the application.

Please ensure you have taken the time to read the full eligibility and selection criteria below before making an application to the fund. You should only apply to the fund at the point at which you need to commit to a choice of Open Access with your publisher.

Eligibility and selection criteria:

• The fund is a pilot running for 2 years from the 1^st August 2024, and funded books must be published by June 2026;
• The fund is open to all OU academic staff and members of research staff (this excludes Postgraduate Research Students);
• Funding is only available to pay Open Access costs for books (excluding edited collections and book chapters) that are authored by an OU academic or member of research staff;
• A maximum of £10,000 will be awarded for a single book;
• Books which are likely to be submitted to REF2029 will be prioritised;
• Applicants should discuss their book proposal/funding application with the appropriate UOA Lead, who will be asked by the Open Access Book Fund Review panel to provide a statement in support of the application (if you are unsure about your UOA or UOA lead, please consult your Head of Discipline or your School Research Director);
• Outputs arising from externally funded research where the funder meets Open Access book publishing costs are not eligible for the fund, nor can the fund be used to "top up" funds where a funder has stipulated a maximum contribution to OA costs (e.g. UKRI).

How to apply

If you believe that you meet the eligibility criteria, you can submit an Application to the Open Access Book Fund (applications open on 5th June 2024). The application will ask you to provide the following information, so please ensure that you have prepared this in advance:

• Name of publisher
• (Proposed) title of book
• Estimated costs (inclusive of VAT)
• What stage of production the book is at
• Expected publication date
• If the book is an output of externally funded research (and grant reference)
• Confirmation that the book proposal has been discussed with the relevant Unit of Assessment Lead (they will be asked by the panel to provide a supporting statement)
• A brief overview of the book (maximum of 500 words)
• An explanation of how you believe the book meets the REF criteria of originality, significance and rigour (maximum of 500 words) 

Submissions will be reviewed quarterly by the Open Access Book Fund Review Panel, and the Academic Lead Open Research will make final funding approval decisions. You will be notified via email of the outcome of your request. The first quarterly review meeting of the Open Access Book Fund Review Panel will be held on Thursday 11^th July 2024. The deadline for submitting applications to be reviewed at this meeting is 28^th June 2024. The dates of future quarterly meetings and deadlines for submission will be regularly updated on this webpage.

We recognise that the timelines for the pilot scheme may be challenging for colleagues who are still in the process of developing book proposals. If you are in this situation, please note that, subject to this pilot being extended, there may be opportunities to apply for funding in 2026-27.

For support with your application, please contact the Library Research Support Team: library-research-support@open.ac.uk

The Open Access Book Review Panel is comprised of:

Theo Papaioannou – Academic Lead Open Research

Valerie Hope – Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies, FASS

Angeliki Lymberopoulou – Senior Lecturer in Art History, FASS

Richard Blundel – Professor of Enterprise & Organisation, FBL

Neil Edwards – Professor of Earth System Science, STEM

Jane Seale – Professor in Education and REF Unit Panel Chair, WELS

Administrative Support

Maxine Borton – Research Support Officer, Library

Nicola Dowson – Senior Manager Research Support, Library