Dutch universities give open access another boost

The Dutch universities will give open access an extra boost from 2019 by starting a pilot to make publications available after six months in collaboration with researchers. 

In order to achieve the Dutch ambition of 100% open access in 2020, we have made agreements with many publishers regarding open-access publishing. Currently, this is not yet possible for all types of publications or journals. That is why, starting 31 January, authors will be facilitated in making their academic works available to the general public online six months after publication through university repositories.

The Dutch Copyright Act allows for this due to Section 25fa, also knowns as the Taverne amendment. This amendment has been translated into a number of concrete principles and will now be implemented as a pilot by the VSNU. Pursuant to the amendment, there are a few conditions that authors must meet in order to participate in the pilot. The academic research on which the work is based must have been funded wholly or partly with Dutch public funds, and the author or co-author must have an employment contract with a Dutch institution. Furthermore, the work must not exceed a certain length. During the pilot, authors who wish to share their work online will receive additional support where necessary. 

On behalf of the VSNU, Anton Pijpers, President of the Executive Board of Utrecht University, stated: 'This concrete step in implementing the Taverne amendment, granting a wide audience access to publications shortly after their publication date, is a step in the right direction. Firstly, scientists, lecturers, students and other interested parties across the world are entitled to this where it concerns research that was completed using public resources. Secondly, it contributes to the Dutch objective of achieving 100% open access.'

For more information on the pilot and the contact details of involved parties at the universities, please visit the pilot page on www.openaccess.nl.