UKRI will extend its open access requirement to books from January 2024.

UKRI-funded researchers must ensure that publishing contracts they sign from 1 January 2024 support open access in line with new long-form requirements of UKRI open access policy.

University of Nottingham Libraries Research Support team are here to support affected researchers with complying with the new requirements.

How do I comply?

Monographs, book chapters, and edited collections must be made openly available within 12 months of publication under a Creative Commons licence (CC BY preferred; alternatives may be permitted).

There are two ways to comply:

1. Deposit your Accepted Manuscript (version after peer-review, but prior to publication) in our institutional repository, RIS.
2. Publish the Version of Record open access via the publisher’s website or a publication platform.

Will UKRI fund the costs?

UKRI have created a central fund of £3.5million to support long-form open access costs. The maximum funding is:

• Book Processing Charge: £10,000.
• Chapter Processing Charge: £1,000.
• £6,000 for the first output in an alternative funding model (£3,000 for subsequent outputs).

Within these limits, up to £2,000 will be available for third-party rights clearance costs.

How do I apply for funding?

Institutions must make applications on behalf of authors via a two-stage process:

• Stage 1: Libraries registers output(s) with UKRI; UKRI confirms eligibility for funding. A publishing contract does not need to be signed at this point.
• Stage 2: Libraries confirms publication to UKRI; UKRI releases funds.

UKRI are currently finalising stage 1 operational details. Applications will open on 28 November. Libraries will provide further updates and guidance.

Are there any exceptions?

UKRI recognises long-form publications pose unique challenges. They have outlined some policy exemptions, for example:

• Publishing contract signed before 1 January 2024.
• The only appropriate publisher offers no compliant open access pathway.
• Reuse permissions for third-party material cannot be obtained and there is no suitable alternative.
• Output out of scope (e.g., scholarly editions, some trade books).
• In-scope output arises from a UKRI training grant (e.g., PhD studentship): open access is encouraged, but not required.

Exemptions will be recorded by institutions and monitored by UKRI.

Where can I access help and support?

If you are a UKRI-funded researcher and plan to publish a long-form output, contact openaccess@nottingham.ac.uk to discuss options with library staff.

UKRI have produced guidance for researchers on making long-form outputs open access. They will contact affected researchers shortly.