Open Access in HORIZON 2020

The aim of the European Commission is to ensure maximum worldwide access to the publications and related research data generated with the help of its funding programs. For this reason, HORIZON 2020 requires free access to research publications for all projects. The Guidelines to the Rules on Open Access to Scientific Publications and Open Access to Research Data in Horizon 2020   provide details regarding the implementation of these requirements.

Which open access options are available?

1. The Golden route: You publish the essay in an open access journal or a hybrid journal that allows for open access publications of individual contributions. In this case, the publication will immediately become available freely.
2. The Green route: After an article has been published in a journal under closed access conditions, you additionally archive it on a repository.

In both cases, making the publication available in an institutional or professional repository is mandatory (see HORIZON2020 Model Grant Agreement, 29.2).

At what time must archiving take place?

Archiving must take place within 6 months after publication, in the Social Sciences and Humanities, there is a deadline of 12 months.

Which versions of your essay can you archive?

It is possible to archive the following

• the published essay (publisher's version)
• the manuscript version as cleared for publication (post print version)

Where can you archive your essay?

Archiving is possible in the RUB repository. Alternatively, a specialized repository or the centralized repository Zenodo can be chosen.

We recommend the following procedure:

• 1. Submit your article to a journal of your choice AND make sure that you have the right to archive the essay in a repository, either immediately or following a blocking period (maximum 6 or 12 months, see above). For this purpose, the exclusive right of use of the article must not rest with the publisher. To find a journal, visit:
  
• a. SHERPA / RoMEO
  - a database of publishers and magazines and their attitude towards open access,
• b. DOAJ
  - Directory of Open Access Journals - a list of OA journals.
• 2. Once your article has been accepted, send the published essay (if permitted) or the postprint to the OA team (oa@rub.de), along with the signed transfer of rights form. This gives RUB a simple (non-exclusive) right of use. Please inform us of your grant agreement number and, if applicable, the end date of the retention period.
  

What does the RUB repository offer?

1. It implements the OpenAire Guidelines 3.0. This ensures that the repository complies with the European Commission's Open Access requirements.
2. The source of the article is available worldwide through the RUB repository and simultaneously from the OpenAire / EU websites. The full text is available immediately or after a blocking period.
3. There are different license agreements to choose from. In your capacity as author, you can grant the public rights of use for your works.