SMERC 2018 Open Access costs funding
SMERC-funded researchers can now access funds to cover open access publishing costs
Phase II SMERC underspend has provided the opportunity for SMERC to pay for open access charges
(article processing charge: APC) for original research papers arising from SMERC-funded projects.
Open access is an effective way of ensuring that the research SMERC funds can be accessed, read and
built upon. Open access charges are a permissible expense in SMERC funding applications. However,
we appreciate that sometimes staff and other costs means this cost cannot be budgeted into research
expenses, particularly in the SMERC Small Grants category. We also realise that some SMERC projects
may have more publication outputs than originally anticipated.
We welcome applications for manuscripts which are finished and ready to be submitted to a publisher,
or manuscripts which have been submitted to an open access journal and accepted for publication (or
are in the process of revision).
To be eligible to use these funds, publications must acknowledge SMERC funding.
The Fund is finite and will be administered on the following grounds. 1) first-come, first served (the
fund is finite); 2) if the demand outstrips the fund, on how closely the paper aligns with the
NES/SMERC priority areas (Workforce, Improved Quality, New models of care, Enhanced
educational infrastructure and
An improved organisation); 3) on the impact factor and reach of the
proposed journal; and 4) that the journal in question does not have a “no-cost to the author” option.
The process for accessing this fund is designed to be responsive. Please write to Mrs Pat MacLennan
pmaclennan@abdn.ac.uk
detailing the following information:
A copy of the final draft of the manuscript
Journal Title and justify why this is the best journal for this particular publication (100 words)
SMERC grant details (date of funding, whether or not open access costs were originally named
and if so, why additional costs are now being requested: 100 words)
Name of Principal
Investigator
Anticipated Cost of Publication
Key dates
The last date for applications is 30
th
March 2018. Applicants will be informed as to the outcome of
their application within two weeks of receipt.