Response to Targeted consultation: NHMRC’s draft Open Access Policy and Open Access Policy – Further Guidance

Abstract

This is a submission to the "Targeted consultation on NHMRC’s draft Open Access Policy and Open Access Policy – Further Guidance". We applaud the strengthening of the NHMRC Open Access Policy to bring it closer to alignment with open access policies elsewhere globally. However, there are some points within the policy and guidelines as they are currently written that will require some amendment to ensure the intended outcome is achieved. We have listed these in order here and articulated the reasoning below:. * There needs to be significant changes to several of the definitions used including the removal of the term ‘publisher paid open access program’ * The rights retention strategy should be applied to all publications and must include ‘immediately openly accessible’ * The policy must specifically have a position on publication in hybrid journals * The timing of the policy should be associated with the date of submission of work rather than the grant with which it is associated * There is currently no mention of compliance monitoring or ramifications for non-compliance. Given this is a fundamental aspect of successful open access policies this is a serious oversight that needs to be addressed. * Metadata-only records in repositories are problematic and not recommended * The policy needs clarity about the distinction between deposit of work and making the work openly accessible * The policy is highly ambiguous about the use of NHMRC funds to pay for article processing charges Show more