The Netherlands takes another big step towards 100% Open Access

In 2021, Dutch universities published 82% of their peer-reviewed scientific publications Open Access. This is an increase of 9% compared to 2020. At TU/e, 84.2% of publications were made Open Access in 2021, where almost 20% were made Open Access via green route (i.e., via an open access repository). The largest increase in Open Access of TU/e publications was found in hybrid Open Access — open publications in at least partly paywalled journals. The increase is likely thanks to the Read & Publish agreements that allow affiliated authors to publish open access in selected journals free of charge.

The aim of the Open Access movement is to permanently remove all barriers to access to scientific knowledge. The open availability of scientific results can contribute to solving societal challenges. In the COVID-19 crisis, for example, early access to scientific publications has helped researchers across the world to rapidly understand the mode of transmission of the virus, its character, and important underlying mechanisms, which in turn helped them design vaccines and therapeutics to protect individuals from contracting the disease.

Universities continue working towards 100% Open Access publishing. To achieve this, stronger national cooperation with all knowledge parties, broader monitoring of all scientific output, extended support and enabling legislation and regulations are required. One step that will be taken is to expand the annual Open Access monitor to also include Open Access figures on books, book chapters and conference contributions. This will better recognize the commitment of researchers and universities to make all research output Open Access and can help determine where further efforts are needed.