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Minister Holder Announces New Open Access Policy for Research
News Release
Minister Holder Announces New Open Access Policy for Research
Canadians will have free online access to research funded by NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR
February 27, 2015– Toronto
Making
research results as widely available and accessible as possible is an
essential part of advancing knowledge and maximizing the impact of
publicly-funded research for Canadians. Increased access to the results
of publicly-funded research can spur scientific discovery, enable better
international collaboration and coordination of research, enhance the
engagement of society and support the economy.
The Honourable Ed
Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today unveiled the
new policy as part of a wide-ranging speech on the government’s updated
Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy in a speech to the Economic
Club in Toronto. The harmonized Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications
requires all peer-reviewed journal publications funded by one of the
three federal granting agencies to be freely available online within 12
months. Canada’s three federal granting agencies are: the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences
and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The policy will
require NSERC and SSHRC funded researchers to comply with the policy for
all grants awarded May 1, 2015 and onward. The policy will not change
current compliance requirements for CIHR funded researchers since a
similar policy with the same requirements has been in effect since
2008.
In developing this policy, the three agencies held an
online consultation, receiving feedback from over 200 individuals and
groups from the research community, institutional libraries, scholarly
associations, non-governmental organizations, publishers, and journals.
The granting agencies will continue to work closely with stakeholders to
support and facilitate the transition towards greater open access.
Quick Facts
- Open access is the practice of providing free and unrestricted online access to research publications.
- In
keeping with the global movement towards open access, the harmonized
policy requires that researchers receiving grants from CIHR, NSERC and
SSHRC make their resulting peer-reviewed journal articles freely
available online within 12 months of publication.
- Researchers
can comply with the open access policy in two ways: ‘self-archiving’ by
depositing their peer-reviewed manuscript to an online repository that
will make the manuscript freely accessible within 12 months of
publication; or submitting their manuscript to a journal that offers
open access within 12 months of publication.
- CIHR-funded
researchers are also required to deposit bioinformatics, atomic, and
molecular coordinate data into the appropriate public database
immediately upon publication of research results. They must also retain
original data sets for a minimum of five years (or longer if other
policies apply).
- Since 2008, SSHRC has invited applications for
financial support from open access journals through its Aid to Scholarly
Journals funding opportunity. In the 2014 competition, nearly 65% of
applicants had an open-access or delayed open-access business model, up
from just over 50% in the previous competition.
- The Tri-Agency
Open Access Policy on Publications aligns with the objectives of
Canada’s Action Plan on Open Government and is a commitment under the
updated Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy.
Quotes
“Our
government’s updated Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy
demonstrates how we have made the record investments necessary to push
the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs and prosperity and improve the
quality of life of Canadians. Building on that record, today’s
forward-looking announcement will provide Canadians with free, online
access to federally funded research; providing researchers,
entrepreneurs, and the wider Canadian public with an increased
opportunity to build upon this research in innovative ways that can
create social or economic benefits for Canadians.”
--The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)
“The
new Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications is a step in the
right direction for our research community and Canadians. Open access is
good practice and will reinvigorate dialog in scientific publication.
This enhanced dissemination of ideas will, maximize the impact of
research, and result in knowledge mobilizaton for economic and societal
benefit.”
-- B. Mario Pinto, President, NSERC
“I am
pleased to see the CIHR Open Access Policy on publications harmonized
across the three granting agencies. Joining forces to encourage greater
access to results from various research fields will help stimulate
collaboration, fuel innovation and speed discoveries. This will ensure
the work of Canada’s researchers achieve the greatest impact possible.”
-- Alain Beaudet, President, CIHR
“With
this new Open Access policy, the Tri-Agencies are adopting a single,
harmonized approach to promoting Canadian research to the world. The
policy both reflects and facilitates new forms of collaboration that are
a hallmark of scholarship in the social sciences and humanities. It
represents a true step forward for the research community.”
--Ted Hewitt, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, SSHRC
Additional links
Tri-Council Open Access Policy on Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Toolbox for researchers
Science,Technology and Innovation Strategy
Canada’s Action Plan on Open Government
- 30 -
About CIHR
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency.
CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its
translation into improved health, more effective health services and
products, and a strengthened health-care system for Canadians. Composed
of 13 institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than
13,200 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
About NSERC
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
of Canada (NSERC) is the primary funding agency supporting Canada’s
science and engineering research community. The agency supports almost
30,000 postsecondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced
studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding approximately 12,000
professors every year, and fosters innovation by working with over 3,000
Canadian companies that are participating and investing in
postsecondary research projects.
About SSHRC
The
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is
the federal agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based
research and training in the humanities and social sciences. By focusing
on developing Talent, generating Insights and forging Connections
across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports
world-leading initiatives that reflect a commitment to ensuring a better
future for Canada and the world. For more information, visit the SSHRC website.
Further Information
Scott French
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the Minister of State (Science and Technology)
 343-291-2700
David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Tel.: 613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Martin Leroux
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Tel.: 613-943-7618
media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
David Holton
Communications Advisor
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Tel.: 613-996-0520
David.Holton@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
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