Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)

In August 2008, the European Commission launched an open access pilot in FP7. Under this pilot, grant recipients in seven areas (energy, environment, health, parts of information and communication technologies, research infrastructures, science in society, and social sciences and humanities) will be required to:

What:  peer reviewed research articles.

Allowed Embargo: Embargo of 6 months for Energy, Environment, Health, Information and Communication Technologies, Research Infrastructures.  Embargo of 12 months for Science in Society, Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities.

How:  Self-archiving in LUP or relevant subject repository.  More than 50% of the publishers included in the SHERPA /RoMEO allow self-archiving. In most cases it is the final, peer-reviewed and corrected manuscript version you are allowed to self-archive.

Best effort:  “Beneficiaries are required to make their best efforts to ensure that this electronic copy becomes freely and electronically available to anyone through this repository” Clause 39.

Best effort is defined as:

1. Seeking information on publishing models and copyright/licensing policies of the journal(s) to which authors plan to submit (e.g. via SHERPA/ROMeO www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/)
2. If publishers' policies do not allow compliance with grant agreement, authors should negotiate an amendment or request an authorisation to self-archive within the specific embargo period (model letter and amendment to publishing agreement, see links)
3. If negotiations are unsuccessful, researchers should consider submitting to another journal
4. If they cannot comply with special clause, beneficiaries should inform the Commission and provide publisher’s letter of refusal

Publication fees: Yes, FP7 grants can be used to pay publication fees. From FP7 FAQ: ” the Commission has taken the initiative to use FP7 grant agreements to encourage grantees to take advantage of reimbursement for the full cost of open access publishing so that their research articles can be made available in open access mode as soon as they are published”.

• Open Access Pilot (FP7 Policy) (New window)
• The European Commission's Open Access Pilot for Research Articles: FAQ (New window)
• Annex 1-Special clauses (see clause 39)
• Powerpoint presentation on open access pilot (describes ”best effort”)
• Model amendment to publishing agreement (Swedish)
• Model amendment to publishing agreement (English)
• Model cover letter for amendment to publishing agreement (Swedish)
• Model cover letter for amendment to publishing agreement (English)