Open research
Open Research ensures research is open at every stage of its creation and publication, from working on an original idea through to disseminating the completed outputs. Based on the principle that knowledge produces the greatest benefit when shared as widely as possible, open research aims to make data, publications and software accessible and usable to all.
The principles of Open Research are reflected in the policies of many public funders and research organisations that promote greater public access to research, and in evolving models of scholarly communication. Change is also being driven by the needs of academics, stakeholders, industry, the public and developing nations.
Open access
Open access makes research publications and data freely available, enabling the results to be read and built on by anyone. Making research outputs open access maximises their public benefit and readership, raises a researcher's profile, and increases the impact of that work. It also allows others to re-use that research, for example, by allowing the content to be analysed with text and data mining.
Publisher agreements
The University has signed a number of publisher agreements that allow Leicester-affiliated corresponding authors to publish open access at no additional cost. Terms and conditions of each agreement vary. For further details, and a list of current agreements by publisher, see our internal page (log-in required).
Gold open access fees
Gold open access fees or article processing charges (APCs) may be charged by publishers to make journal articles immediately open access. The Library research services team manages the research funder open access block grants awarded to the University of Leicester. Open access block grant funds currently available to grant holders are: British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and the Wellcome Trust.
University of Leicester researchers funded by grants from these organisations should use this form to apply for Gold Open Access fees.
The University does not have a central institutional open access fund.
The European Union FOSTER project produced a useful toolkit and handbook for those interested in learning more about open research practices.
Help and guidance
The Library Research Services team are here to help you navigate the open research environment by providing expert advice, services, and training. Please contact us: openaccess@leicester.ac.uk.