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Open Publishing
Helping you share scholarship without barriers
Publishing waivers
Publishing options
There are several ways to make your work openly available. For many authors, the strongest first options are no-fee open access journals or repository deposit (often without paying fees).
Choose a publishing route
Start here: Most authors can make their work open without paying by using repository deposit or no-fee journals.
| No-fee open access (Diamond OA) | Publish in journals that do not charge author fees. |
| Self-archiving in a repository (Green OA) | Share an allowed version of your work in a repository. |
| Fee-based open access | If a journal charges fees, check discounts, waivers, or funding. |
| Check what you can share | Confirm which version is allowed and whether an embargo applies. |
Quick note: “APC” (Article Processing Charge) is a fee some journals charge authors to publish open access.
No-fee open access (Diamond OA)
Diamond open access journals make articles freely available without charging authors publication fees.
▼ Show tools to find no-fee open access journals
- OA Fee Finder: Find APC-free or discounted journals available at MRU.
- DOAJ: Browse open access journals and filter for no-fee journals.
- B!SON: Find OA journals based on your manuscript details.
▼ Show more on Canadian no-fee journals
- PKP webinar: Documenting the Canadian Scholarly Journal Landscape
- Browse lists of Canadian diamond OA journals and view (and download) a bibliometric dataset covering Canadian scholarly journals
- Read about Canadian open access publishing initiatives.
Self-archiving in a repository (Green OA)
Self-archiving allows you to share a permitted version of your work in an open repository, often without paying publishing fees.
Not sure what version you can share? See the copyright FAQ on sharing research online.
▼ Show repository options
- Institutional: MROAR (MRU’s institutional repository) | MRU Data Repository
- Disciplinary repositories: arXiv, bioRxiv, SSRN
- Multidisciplinary: OSF, Zenodo
- Data repositories: Dryad, figshare, FRDR
- Code: GitHub (often used alongside archival integrations or repository deposit)
Tip: MROAR is often a good option for preserving and sharing MRU research outputs, but disciplinary or general repositories may also be appropriate depending on the work and the field. To learn more, see What is MROAR and what can be deposited?.
Check what version you can share
▼ Show tools to check what version you can share
Publishers often allow sharing preprints or accepted manuscripts but may restrict sharing of the final published PDF.
Check what version you can share Open Policy Finder
See journal and funder policies Subject Librarian
Get help interpreting policies
Tip: Connect with your Subject Librarian early, preferably before submitting your manuscript, to review publishing options and identify fee waivers or sharing opportunities.
For a fuller explanation of publication agreements, accepted manuscripts, embargoes, and repository sharing, see the copyright FAQ on sharing research online.
▼ Show how to list a self-archived article or accepted manuscript on your CV
See the FAQ on listing accepted manuscripts and self-archived versions on your CV.
Fee-based open access (APCs)
Some journals charge article processing charges (APCs).
▼ Show APC support options
- Consider repository deposit or no-fee journals first (many authors can publish open without paying fees)
- Use the OA Fee Finder to check discounts or waivers available at MRU.
- The Open Access Fund is available in its final year, while funds last.
- Include APC costs in grant budgets where eligible.
Showcase your open work
Open access publications and repository deposits can help you document and showcase your research.
▼ Show ways to highlight open research
- Include repository deposits on your CV.
- Describe how open access extends reach beyond academia.
- Track downloads, reuse, and policy citations.
- Connect your publications to your ORCID profile.
See the FAQ on listing accepted manuscripts and self-archived versions on your CV.
Thinking about how to document the impact of your open research?
Visit the Responsible Research Assessment page for guidance on narrative CVs, responsible research assessment, and ways to showcase open practices, data sharing, and public engagement.
Get support for open publishing and research.
Connect with your subject librarian for help identifying trusted open access journals, understanding copyright and archiving policies, and exploring APC funding and waiver options.
| Find Your Subject Librarian Directory of contacts | Request an Open Access Consultation Submit your questions |
Publishing open access books
Open access (OA) book publishing is an increasingly viable and impactful option for researchers, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Many university presses and scholarly publishers now offer peer-reviewed OA monographs and edited collections, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of academic work.
Assessing publishers
When considering OA book publishers, consider their reputation and publishing practices:
- Peer review. Ensure the publisher conducts rigorous peer review to maintain scholarly standards.
- Licensing. Look for clear licensing (e.g., Creative Commons) so it’s obvious how your work can be used and shared.
- Transparency. Verify that the publisher provides clear information about timelines, workflows, and any fees (including waivers/discounts, if offered).
- Discovery and distribution. Check how books are distributed (print + e-book), and where they’re listed (publisher site, library vendors, directories such as DOAB, etc.).
- Copyright / reuse rights. If you plan to deposit your book or chapter in a repository, review your publishing agreement. You may be able to retain rights or use an author addendum to support repository deposit. See CARL’s guide to author rights.
Canadian open access book publishers
Several Canadian university presses have strong open access options.
- Athabasca University Press (AU Press): Canada’s first open access scholarly press. Publishes peer-reviewed books across disciplines, with titles freely available online under Creative Commons licences.
- University of Calgary Press: Publishes peer-reviewed academic books across the humanities and social sciences. Many titles are available open access under a Creative Commons licence. See the OA collection.
- Concordia University Press: Non-profit publisher of peer-reviewed books. Publications include a cost-free open access e-book, with print copies available for purchase.
These presses are members of the Association of Canadian University Presses (ACUP/APUC).
Depositing books and chapters
If you’ve published a book or book chapter, consider depositing what you’re permitted to share in MRU’s Open Access Repository (MROAR) to increase visibility:
- Publisher policies. Check your agreement to confirm what can be deposited (chapter, excerpt, full book, etc.).
- Version. The permitted version varies by publisher (sometimes an accepted manuscript; sometimes the publisher PDF; sometimes only a chapter).
- Waiting period (embargo). Some publishers require a waiting period before files can be made openly available.
For help depositing your work, consult the MROAR FAQs or contact the repository team at repository@mtroyal.ca
Funding and support
Publishing OA books may involve costs, such as book processing charges (BPCs). These costs may be eligible in some Tri-Agency grant budgets depending on the program and guidance. MRU authors can also:
- The MRU Open Access Fund is available in its final year for eligible works, while funds last.
- Explore publisher discounts. Some publishers offer discounts or waivers for OA publishing—check with the publisher.
Tip. If you’re publishing a textbook or other resource for teaching, see our Open Education page for supports and funding options.
Additional resources
- Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB). A directory of OA books from many publishers. Browse DOAB by publisher.
- Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA). Publisher membership list and resources.
- OAPEN Open Access Books Toolkit. Guidance on choosing a publisher, funding models, licensing, quality checks, and rights.
Tri-Agency Open Access Policy – how the Library can help
If you’ve received funding from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC, you’re required to make your peer-reviewed journal articles openly available within 12 months of publication. MRU Library can help you meet these requirements either through open access publishing or by depositing your accepted manuscript in a repository.
Update. The Tri-Agencies have announced revisions to the Open Access Policy on Publications, with an anticipated release in 2026 and a transition period before new requirements take effect. We’ll update this page when details are confirmed. See the draft policy.
What do researchers need to do?
You must either publish open access or deposit your accepted manuscript in a repository (and make it openly available within 12 months of publication).
Option 1: Publish in an Open Access Journal
Choose a fully open access journal, or select the open option in a subscription journal. MRU authors can:
- OA Fee Finder (discounts/waivers available to MRU authors)
- DOAJ (no-fee open journals)
- Library Open Access Fund (final year; APC support while funds last)
- Subject Librarian help: journal fit, policies, publisher waiting periods
Option 2: Deposit your manuscript in a repository
(also called self-archiving or “green” open access)
Deposit your accepted manuscript (post–peer review, before publisher formatting) in a repository. If the publisher requires a waiting period, set a release date so it becomes openly available within 12 months of publication.
An institutional repository such as MRU’s Open Access Repository (MROAR) (see the MROAR FAQs).
A disciplinary or generalist repository (e.g., arXiv, PubMed Central, Zenodo)
We can help you confirm whether your journal permits repository deposit and what version can be shared.
Special considerations
CIHR-funded research. Same 12-month requirement for journal articles. CIHR also has additional expectations for some datasets (for example, specific bioinformatics/atomic/molecular coordinate data in appropriate public databases).
Books and chapters. Not covered by the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications, but we can help you interpret other requirements and options.
Related Tri-Agency recommendations & requirements
The Tri-Agencies are also shifting expectations in two key areas:
Narrative CVs
Some programs use CV formats that highlight contributions, context, and impact. Visit our Responsible Research Assessment page for narrative CV guidance.
Research data management
Some funding opportunities require data management plans (DMPs), and requirements around data deposit are evolving. For DMP support, visit the Library’s RDM page for guidance and tools.
Other supports include MRU’s Research Data Management Strategy, resources from ORSCE, and the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy.
How do I budget for open access fees (APCs) in grant proposals?
Many funding agencies allow publication charges to be included in grant budgets. When planning, consider whether APCs are necessary, as many authors can publish open access through repository deposit, no-fee journals, or library agreements.
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
- Review journal or publisher websites for current fees. Your subject librarian can help.
Tip: For help planning publication costs or including open access in your grant proposal, you can also consult the Office of Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement (ORSCE) or connect with the Grants and Research Facilitator.
Adapted with permission from Simon Fraser University Library, under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
Open Access fund
Publishing help
OA consultation request
Get support for open publishing and research.
Connect with your subject librarian for help identifying trusted open access journals, understanding copyright and archiving policies, and exploring APC funding and waiver options.
| Find Your Subject Librarian Directory of contacts | Request an Open Access Consultation Submit your questions |