Open access in the next Research Excellence Framework: policy adjustments and qualifications

In March 2014, the UK HE funding bodies announced a new policy for open access (OA) in the post-2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The policy has received wide support from the research community, and institutions are now fully engaged in implementing this in time for the start date (1 April 2016). Work undertaken so far by institutions has revealed a number of challenges around implementation of the policy, which we are now responding to. These challenges invite flexibility; this letter sets out details of a number of adjustments and qualifications to the policy that we believe will support institutions to make meaningful progress towards delivering open access in a sensible and realistic manner. The policy documentation has been updated to reflect these adjustments and qualifications. More...