Banner
Open Scholarship › Open Access › Open Publishing
Open Publishing
Helping you share scholarship without barriers
Publishing waivers
OA Fee Finder
Find journals offering waived or discounted APCs (Article Publishing Charges) via MRU Library deals..
Publisher Requirements for Waivers/Discounts
Canadian Science Publishers via CRKN
- At a glance: Waived and 25% discounted APCs available in CSP hybrid journals.
- Waived/discounted APCs: Applies to these hybrid journals.
- How it works: MRU authors who list MRU as their affiliation when submitting will have APCs waived or reduced by 25% automatically at acceptance.
- Key requirements: The corresponding author must be from MRU (or another participating institution) at the time of submission. The corresponding author designation cannot be changed after submission.
- Agreement period: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2025. CRKN agreement announcement
- Agreement type: Read & Publish
Cambridge University Press via CRKN
- At a glance: Waived APCs in eligible Cambridge hybrid and gold journals .
- Waived APCs: See additional agreement details - including eligibility checker and eligible article types on the Cambridge website.
- How it works: The waiver is automatically applied via author affiliation once the article is accepted. Additional publishing instructions are available via CRKN.
- Key requirements:
- The corresponding author must be affiliated with MRU (or another participating institution) at the time of submission.
- Eligible submission types: Research Articles, Rapid Communications, Review Articles, Brief Reports, and Case Reports.
- Authors should use their
@mtroyal.caemail address when submitting to flag waiver eligibility.
- Agreement period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026
- Agreement type: Read & Publish
Company of Biologists
- At a glance: Waived APCs in 3 hybrid journals and 2 gold open access journals.
- Waived APCs: Applies to these journals:
- Biology Open
- Development
- Disease Models & Mechanisms
- Journal of Cell Science
- Journal of Experimental Biology
- How it works: Authors should submit their manuscript following the submission instructions.
- Key requirements:
- The corresponding author must be affiliated with MRU or another participating institution.
- Agreement period: Ongoing
- Agreement type: Read & Publish
Elsevier via CRKN
- At a glance: Waived APCs in eligible hybrid journals; discounted APCs in eligible gold open access journals.
- Waived APCs: Applies to 1,800+ hybrid journals.
- Discounted APCs: 15% discount (dropping to 10% in 2027) in over 600 gold open access journals. (Discount was 20% in 2021–2023.)
- How it works: Starting January 1, 2024, authors are offered the option to publish open access in eligible journals for free or at a discount after article acceptance. See the author workflow. Retroactive conversion available until January 31st of the following year as per the instructions on the CRKN webpage .
- Key requirements:
- The corresponding author must be affiliated with MRU (or another participating institution) at the time of submission.
- Agreement period: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
- Agreement type: Read & Publish
Looking for other ways to share your work? Authors can also review Elsevier’s self-archiving (green OA) policy:
- Preprints: Authors may share submitted manuscripts (preprints) anywhere, at any time.
- Accepted manuscripts: Authors may share accepted versions in institutional or funder repositories, often subject to an embargo period (varies by journal).
- Published version of record: Cannot be shared openly, but links to the version of record can be provided.
MDPI
- At a glance: 10% discount on APCs in all MDPI journals.
- Discounted APCs: Applies under the Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP).
- Key requirements:
- Authors must use their
@mtroyal.caemail address when submitting to flag eligibility.
- Authors must use their
- Agreement period: Ongoing
- Agreement type: Open Access Partnership
- Key takeaway: MRU authors automatically receive a 10% APC discount at all MDPI journals.
Oxford Journals via CRKN
- At a glance: Waived APCs in most hybrid journals; 10% discounted APCs in gold open access journals.
- Waived APCs: Applies to over 350 hybrid journals (see “List of Eligible Hybrid Titles”).
- Discounted APCs: 10% discount in over 155 gold open access journals (see “Gold APC discount” tab).
- How it works: Starting February 1, 2024, MRU authors will be automatically offered the option to publish open access for free or at a discount in eligible journals upon acceptance. Applies to research articles, review articles, case reports, and brief reports. Articles in supplement issues are excluded.
- Key requirements:
- The corresponding author must be affiliated with MRU (or another participating institution) at the time of submission.
- The corresponding author cannot be changed after submission in order to qualify for the waiver or discount.
- Agreement period: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
- Agreement type: Read & Publish
PLOS
A non-profit, high-impact open access publisher with leading journals in science and medicine.
- At a glance: Waived APCs in seven PLOS journals.
- Waived APCs: Unlimited publications in:
- PLOS Complex Systems
- PLOS Computational Biology
- PLOS Digital Health
- PLOS Genetics
- PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- PLOS ONE
- PLOS Pathogens
- How it works: Eligible MRU authors can publish unlimited articles in covered journals during the agreement term. See the Publishing FAQ for details.
- Key requirements:
- The corresponding author must be from MRU (or another participating institution).
- Use
@mtroyal.caemail when submitting.
- Agreement period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026
- Licensing & sharing:
- All articles are published under a CC BY 4.0 license, allowing free sharing and reuse.
- Authors retain copyright and can deposit their work in repositories. More info.
- Agreement type: Open Access Partnership
SAGE via CRKN
- At a glance: Waived APCs in hybrid journals; 40% APC discount in gold open access journals.
- Waived APCs: Applies to SAGE Choice hybrid journals.
- Discounted APCs: 40% discount in gold open access journals.
- How it works: Authors use their MRU email for identification. After acceptance, select the option to publish open access.
- Key requirements:
- Corresponding author must be from MRU (or another participating institution).
- Not eligible: errata, book reviews, editorials, abstracts, calls for papers, news, or similar items.
- Default license: CC-BY-NC (CC-BY available if required by funder).
- Agreement period: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
- Agreement type: Read & Publish
Wiley via CRKN
- At a glance: Waived APCs in Wiley hybrid journals; 10% APC discount in Wiley gold open access journals.
- Waived APCs: Applies to Wiley’s hybrid journals.
- Discounted APCs: 10% discount in Wiley gold open access journals.
- How it works: Once accepted, eligible authors are notified that their article qualifies for open access publishing at no cost. More details.
- Key requirements:
- Corresponding author must be affiliated with MRU (or another CRKN institution) at submission.
- When prompted in Wiley Author Services, select “My APC will be covered by an institution or funder that has a Wiley Open Access Account arrangement with Wiley.”
- Use @mtroyal.ca email and select Mount Royal University to ensure funding is applied.
- Agreement period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026
- Agreement type: Read & Publish
Looking for other ways to share your work? Authors can also review Wiley’s self-archiving policy:
- Preprints: Authors may share the submitted (preprint) version of their article anywhere immediately (e.g. personal website, institutional repository, non-profit preprint servers).
- Accepted manuscript (post-peer review, before final formatting): May be archived after an embargo (typically 12 months for STM journals; 24 months for SSH journals).
- Version of Record (publisher’s formatted version): Generally *not* allowed for public posting, except possibly under specific journal or licensing terms.
ACM via TAL
- At a glance: No APCs. All accepted ACM articles publish open access automatically, with authors choosing their license.
- Waived APCs: Applies to all ACM titles, including journals, magazines, and conference proceedings. See the title list.
- How it works: Starting July 1, 2025, once an article is accepted, the corresponding author will publish open access in all ACM publications at no charge. Authors retain copyright and may select a Creative Commons license (default CC-BY). Find out more about ACM Open.
- Key requirements: The corresponding author must be affiliated with MRU (or another participating institution) at the time of submission. Valid institutional email address and ORCID iD required.
- Agreement period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028
- Agreement type: Read & publish
Looking for other ways to share older ACM works? Authors may consult the Author rights policy for details:
- Preprints and accepted manuscripts: Can be deposited in institutional or subject repositories, funder repositories, or personal websites.
- Version of record: Cannot be posted directly, but ACM’s Author-Izer service provides free-to-read links to the definitive version in the ACM Digital Library.
Cogitatio Press
- At a glance: APCs waived in all Cogitatio Press gold open access journals
- Waived/discounted APCs: Applies to all Cogitatio Press journals
- How it works: MRU authors who list MRU as their affiliation and use their MRU email address when submitting will have APCs waived automatically at acceptance.
- Key requirements: The corresponding author must be from MRU (or another participating institution) at the time of submission. The corresponding author designation cannot be changed after submission. This waiver applies to Research Articles, Editorials, Commentaries, Short Notes, and Book Reviews.
- Agreement period: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028
- Agreement type: Open access partnership
JMIR via JCRKN
- At a glance: 10% discounted APCs available in JMIR gold open access journals.
- Waived/discounted APCs: Applies to all JMIR journals
- How it works: Upon acceptance, MRU authors may obtain a discount code by filling out this form with their MRU email address
- Key requirements: The corresponding author must be from MRU (or another participating institution) at the time of submission. The corresponding author designation cannot be changed after submission.
- Agreement period: Ongoing
- Agreement type: Open access partnership
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
The Open Access Publishing Fund is in its final year. Funding is available for the 2026/2027 year or until funds are fully allocated. Researchers should plan submissions accordingly and review alternative publishing options.
The Open Access Fund helps MRU authors make their research freely available to readers everywhere by reimbursing eligible open access publishing fees. To date, it has supported more than 60 open publications by over 40 MRU authors. View them in our repository.
Author eligibility
Eligible applicants must be the primary author (e.g., lead, first-named, or corresponding author) and be affiliated with MRU as one of the following:
- Tenured, tenurable, or contract faculty member
- Full-time administrator or staff member
- Undergraduate student
Co-authors do not have to be affiliated with MRU.
If the project has existing research funding, the request must include a declaration confirming that the open access APCs have not already been covered by the grant or are ineligible under the grant’s terms.
Publication criteria
Articles: The Fund reimburses article processing charges (APCs) for manuscripts accepted in peer-reviewed journals that:
- Use a full open access publishing model
- Are listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
- Clearly list their open access fees on their website
- Make the open access version immediately available upon publication (no embargo period)
- Apply a Creative Commons license (e.g., CC BY)
Check the journal’s website or search the DOAJ to confirm license options and publishing details.
Books/Chapters: The Fund considers OA publishing fees for books and book chapters on a case-by-case basis, as publishers use varying models. In general, we expect:
- The full book (not just the chapter) to be openly accessible upon publication
- The publisher to appear in the Directory of Open Access Books or to be a member of the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association
- OA fees to be publicly listed
- A Creative Commons license applied
If this information is not available, contact us with supporting evidence (e.g., your publishing contract or publisher correspondence) and we will review the details with you.
Reimbursement limits
- Maximum reimbursement: $3,000 CAD per applicant per fiscal year
- Multiple applications are permitted, provided the total remains within the cap
- Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis
- Retroactive applications are accepted for fees paid within the past calendar year
- Funding is limited and may be exhausted before the end of the 2026/2027 budget year.
Mandatory deposit in the Open Access Repository
- All funded publications must be deposited in the Mount Royal University Institutional Repository (MROAR)
- Authors are encouraged to deposit supporting datasets in the Mount Royal University Data Repository. Learn more about open data practices and other trusted repositories.
- If a publisher embargo applies, deposit the manuscript with embargo settings in place. The Library can assist with this process. Contact mrujs@mtroyal.ca for support
Application process
Applications will remain open until funds are fully allocated. Complete your application using the button below:
| OA Fund Application Form |
Questions? Contact: Richard Hayman rhayman@mtroyal.ca
|
Looking for details about changes to the Fund? See the “OA Fund update” tab for more information about the transition and available alternatives.
Is the Open Access Fund ending?
Yes. The Fund is in its final year and will remain available until the 2026/2027 allocation is fully distributed.
What if the Fund is fully allocated before I apply?
You may still be able to publish open access through other routes, including repository deposit, no-fee journals, and journals covered by library agreements. Your subject librarian can help you review options.
Can I still meet Tri-Agency requirements without the Fund?
Yes. In many cases, depositing your accepted manuscript in a repository is a compliant, no-cost route. See the Tri-Agency support tab for more information or contact the Library for help.
What if I already have a paper in progress?
Check whether your journal is covered by a library agreement or allows repository deposit. If fees apply, you can also review whether the Fund is still available and whether APCs may be eligible in a grant budget.
Are formats other than journal articles and books/chapters eligible?
Maybe. We are willing to consider alternative formats on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further information.
How much funding is available?
The Fund is in its final year. Funding is limited and will remain available until the 2026/2027 allocation is fully distributed.
How long does it take to get reimbursed?
Normally about 2–3 weeks. Reimbursements are delayed from March 1 to mid-April due to fiscal year-end processing.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please contact your subject librarian or Richard Hayman (rhayman@mtroyal.ca).
Investing in the future of open access: a change in Library support
Since 2016, MRU Library’s Open Access Authors Fund has helped authors navigate open publishing during a period when open access options were less developed and less visible. The Fund played an important transitional role by raising awareness and supporting the open publication of MRU research, providing over $115,000 in grants and supporting more than 60 open publications by over 40 MRU authors.
As the open publishing landscape has evolved, authors now have access to a wider range of open publishing routes, including no-fee journals, repository deposit, and publisher agreements that waive or reduce fees. This allows the Library to shift support toward approaches that can serve more researchers across a wider range of publishing needs.
Article processing charges (APCs) remain one route to open access, but they are not the only option and may create cost barriers for some authors.. MRU Library is therefore focusing more of its support on sustainable and flexible options for making research openly available.
These include:
- Read and publish agreements: MRU Library participates in publisher agreements that fully or partially cover APCs for eligible authors and continues to prioritize negotiation of these agreements. Learn more.
- Diamond open access: no-fee journals that do not charge authors to publish. Find no-fee options.
- Self-archiving in repositories (Green OA): Make eligible versions of your work openly available through repositories at no cost. Learn more about repository options and checking sharing permissions
- Open publishing platforms: support for openly licensed books, journals, and other digital publications. Learn more about Pressbooks, Open Journal Hosting, the MRU Open Access Repository, and the Open Data Repository.
The Library will offer the OA Authors Fund for one final year, concluding in 2026/27 once the $21,000 allocation is fully distributed.
For support in choosing the best open publishing route, please contact your subject librarian or visit Open Publishing.
Funded Publications
The Library Open Access Fund supported the open sharing of MRU research through publication funding of the followig items. They are available for access both from the pubisher websites and from Mount Royal University's Open Access Repository (MROAR).
Funding Year 2025-2026
- Shaw, K., Lindstrom, B., Moss, A., & Parnell, J. A. (2026). Why protein intakes up to 0.4 g/kg body mass are well tolerated before a 10 km run at 85% of race pace: A clinical trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2026.2615270
- Webb, D. J., Bennett, E. A., & Boeré, R. T. (2025). Syntheses and structure of a nitrogen-rich pyrimidine triazole ligand and its Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes. Acta Crystallographica Section E: Crystallographic Communications, 81, 1099–1102. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989025009454
- Dawson, A., Williams, J. W., Gaillard, M.-J., Goring, S. J., Pirzamanbein, B., Lindstrom, J., Anderson, R. S., Brunelle, A., Foster, D., Gajewski, K., Gavin, D. G., Lacourse, T., Minckley, T. A., Oswald, W., Shuman, B., & Whitlock, C. (2025). Holocene land cover change in North America: Continental trends, regional drivers, and implications for vegetation–atmosphere feedbacks. Climate of the Past, 21, 2031–2060. https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-21-2031-2025
- Kjorlien, Y., Dalziel, D., Watson, C. J., & Forbes, S. L. (2025). The taphonomic impact of scavenger guilds in peri-urban and rural regions of central and southern Alberta, part II: Dispersal patterns of forensically relevant vertebrate scavengers. Forensic Science International: Synergy, 11, Article 100649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100649
- Amannah, C., Kingsley, F. A., & Uzoka, F.-M. (2025). A data-driven intelligent methodology for developing an explainable diagnostic model for febrile diseases. Algorithms, 18(4), Article 190. https://doi.org/10.3390/a18040190
- Gallinger, T. L., MacIntosh, B. R., & Fletcher, J. R. (2025). Muscle fascicle length adaptations to high-velocity training in young adults with cerebral palsy. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7, Article 1558784. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1558784
- Mackenzie, B. W. L., Johnson, N. A., Strzalkowski, N., & Day, T. A. (2025). Sex differences in loop gain measured via superimposed end-expiratory breath holds and inspired steady-state hypoxia. Experimental Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1113/EP092285
- Armstrong, C. L., Farmer, A., Hogue, M., & Bastien, H. (2025). Harley’s course: Integrating teachings from Western and Indigenous sciences in an undergraduate biology course. Ecology and Evolution, 15, Article e71824. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71824
- Attai, K. F., Amannah, C., Ekpenyong, M., Baadel, S., Obot, O., Asuquo, D., Attai, E., Uzoka, F.-V., Dan, E., Akwaowo, C., & Uzoka, F.-M. (2025). Predicting predisposition to tropical diseases in female adults using risk factors: An explainable machine learning approach. Information, 16(7), Article 520. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16070520
Funding Year 2024-2025
- Atkinson-Leadbeater, K., Bertolesi, G. E., & McFarlane, S. (2024). Visual input regulates melanophore differentiation. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 12, Article 1437613. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2024.1437613
- Chalmers, E., Duarte, S., Al-Hejji, X., Devoe, D., Gruber, A., & McDonald, R. J. (2024). Simulated synapse loss induces depression-like behaviors in deep reinforcement learning. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 18, Article 1466364. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncom.2024.1466364
- Currie, G., Estefan, A., & Caine, V. (2024). Unable to feed my hungry child: Experiences of mothers caring for children with Prader–Willi syndrome. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 11, Article 23333936241242929. https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936241242929
- Eubank, B. H. F., Takahashi, T., Shields, R., Martyn, J., Zhao, R. X., Lackey, S. W., Slomp, M., Werle, J. R., Robert, J., & Hui, C. (2024). Development of a soft tissue knee clinical decision-making tool for patients presenting to primary point-of-care providers in Alberta, Canada. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319241271953
- Pigott, G. C., Abo Akel, M., Rogers, M. G. Q., Flanagan, M. E., Marlette, E. G., Treaster, M. J., Fox, S. K., & Mee, J. A. (2025). Evidence for variation in the genetic basis of sex determination in brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans). Ecology and Evolution, 15(3), Article e70955. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70955
- Nguyen, A. T., Berger, P., & Field, E. (2025). More green thoughts than actions: Insights from marketing instructors at a Canadian university. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 16, Article 100257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100257
- Uzoka, F.-M., Attai, K. F., Ekpenyong, M., Amannah, C., Asuquo, D., Ajuga, P., Obot, O., Johnson, E., John, A., Maduka, O., & Akwaowo, C. (2024). Enhancing the interpretability of malaria and typhoid diagnosis with explainable AI and large language models. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 9(9), Article 216. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9090216
Funding Year 2023-2024
- Budwani, Z., Buragina, J. T., Lang, J., & Acedo, J. Z. (2023). Characterization of the novel leaderless bacteriocin, Bawcin, from Bacillus wiedmannii. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(23), Article 16965. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316965
- Chegini, H., Naha, R., Mahanti, A., Gong, M., & Passi, K. (2023). An agriprecision decision support system for weed management in pastures. IEEE Access, 11, 94164–94176. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3307311
- Ker-Yung, H., Ghafari, A., Mei, Y., Williams, J. S., Attia, D., Forsyth, J., Wang, K., Wyeld, T., Sun, C., Glogauer, M., & King, T. J. (2023). Oral inflammatory load predicts vascular function in a young adult population: a pilot study. Frontiers in Oral Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2023.1233881
- Lafave, M., Amannejad, Y., Mammadova, U., & Eubank, B. H. F. (2023). Systems that evaluate international equivalency in health-related professions: A scoping review with a focus on Canada. Human Resources for Health, 21, Article 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-023-00864-y
- Brinthaupt, T., & Morin, A. (2023). Self-talk: Research challenges and opportunities. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1210960. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1210960
- Sangha, A., Quon, M., Pfeffer, G., & Orton, S.-M. (2023). The role of vitamin D in neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis: An update. Nutrients, 15(13), Article 2978. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132978
- Roberts, M. J. D., Connolly, R., Conley, J., & Miller, J. (2023). Digital citizenship and the Big Five personality traits. Informatics, 10(3), Article 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics10030058
- Salmani, K., & Atuh, B. (2023). A lesson for the future: Will you let me violate your privacy to save your life? Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy, 3(2), Article 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcp3020014
- Akwaowo, C., Sabi, H. M., Ekpenyong, N., Andem, N. F., Maduka, O., Dan, E., Umoh, E., Ekpin, V., & Uzoka, F.-M. (2023). Adoption of electronic medical records in developing countries: A multi-state study of the Nigerian healthcare system. Frontiers in Digital Health, 4, Article 1017231. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2022.1017231
- Carter-Snell, C. J., & Warthe, D. G. (2023). Stepping up: A decade of relationship violence prevention. Social Sciences, 12(9), Article 501. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12090501
Funding Year 2022-2023
- Cates, V. C., Bruce, C. D., Marullo, A. L., Isakovich, R., Saran, G., Leacy, J. K., O’Halloran, K. D., Brutsaert, T. D., Sherpa, M. T., & Day, T. A. (2022). Steady-state chemoreflex drive captures ventilatory acclimatization during incremental ascent to high altitude: Effect of acetazolamide. Physiological Reports, 10(21), Article e15521. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.15521
- Connolly, R., & Miller, J. (2022). Evaluating and revising the digital citizenship scale. Informatics, 9(3), Article 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics9030061
- Nwaishi, F., Morison, M., Plach, J., Macrae, M., & Petrone, R. (2022). Carbon and nutrient stoichiometric relationships in the soil–plant systems of disturbed boreal forest peatlands within Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Canada. Forests, 13(6), Article 865. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13060865
- Orton, S.-M., Sangha, A., Gupta, M., Martens, K., Metz, L. M., de Koning, A. P. J., & Pfeffer, G. (2022). Expression of risk genes linked to vitamin D receptor super-enhancer regions and their association with phenotype severity in multiple sclerosis. Frontiers in Neurology, 13, Article 1064008. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.1064008
- Richards, C. D., Eubank, B. H. F., Lafave, M., Wiley, J. P., Bois, A. J., & Mohtadi, N. G. (2022). The responsiveness and validity of the Rotator Cuff Quality of Life (RC-QOL) index in a 2-year follow-up study. JSES International, 6(4), 701–708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseint.2022.04.012
- Taylor, D. D., Farr, J. J., Lim, E. G., Fleet, J. L., Smith Wuitchik, S. J., & Wuitchik, D. M. (2023). Heat stress does not induce wasting symptoms in the giant California sea cucumber (Apostichopus californicus). PeerJ Life & Environment, 11, e14548. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14548
- Attai, K., Amannejad, Y., Vahdat Pour, M., Obot, O., & Uzoka, F. M. (2022). A systematic review of applications of machine learning and other soft computing techniques for the diagnosis of tropical diseases. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7(12), Article 398. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed7120398
Funding Year 2021-2022
- Choudhary, A., Kumar, S., Gupta, S., Gong, M., & Mahanti, A. (2021). FEHCA: A fault-tolerant energy-efficient hierarchical clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks. Energies, 14(13), Article 3935. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14133935
- Dosani, A., Murthy, P., Kassam, S., Rai, B., & Lodha, A. K. (2021). Parental perception of neonatal transfers from level 3 to level 2 neonatal intensive care units in Calgary, Alberta: Qualitative findings. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), Article 981. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06967-3
- Yavorska, O. A., Syriste, L., du Plessis, C. M., Yaqoob, M., Loogman, K., Cordara, M., & Chik, J. K. (2021). Cosolutes modify alkaline phosphatase catalysis through osmotic stress and crowding mechanisms. ACS Omega, 6(40), 26239–26250. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c03243
- Eubank, B. H. F., Lackey, S. W., Slomp, M., Werle, J. R., Kuntze, C., & Sheps, D. M. (2021). Consensus for a primary care clinical decision-making tool for assessing, diagnosing, and managing shoulder pain in Alberta, Canada. BMC Family Practice, 22(1), Article 201. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01544-3
- Uttl, B., & Violo, V. (2021). Gender bias in student evaluation of teaching or a mirage? ScienceOpen Research. https://doi.org/10.14293/s2199-1006.1.sor.2021.0003.v1
- Johnston, P., & Streng, M. (2021). Morphology and relationships of the enigmatic stenothecoid pan-brachiopod Stenothecoides—New data from the middle Cambrian Burgess Shale Formation. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 66. https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00928.2021
Funding Year 2020-2021
- Choate, P., & Sharan, R. (2021). The Need to Act: Incest as a Crime Given Low Priority—A View with India as an Example. Social Sciences, 10(4), 142. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10040142
- Chan, J. S., Chiew, A. E., Rimke, A. N., Chan, G., Rampuri, Z. H., Kozak, M. D., Boulé, N. G., Steinback, C. D., Davenport, M. H., & Day, T. A. (2021). Blood glucose concentration is unchanged during exposure to acute normobaric hypoxia in healthy humans. Physiological Reports, 9(15), e14932. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14932
- Bruce, C. D., Vanden Berg, E. R., Pfoh, J. R., Steinback, C. D., & Day, T. A. (2021). Prior oxygenation, but not chemoreflex responsiveness, determines breath‐hold duration during voluntary apnea. Physiological Reports, 9(1), Article e14664. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14664
- Lalani, S., Dosani, A., Forcheh, N., Premji, S. S., Siddiqui, S., Shaikh, K., Mian, A., Yim, I. S., & Maternal-infant Global Health Team (MiGHT) Collaborators in Research (2021). Perceived stress may mediate the relationship between antenatal depressive symptoms and preterm birth: A pilot observational cohort study. PLOS ONE, 16(5), e0250982. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250982
- Dunmade, I. S. (2020). A linear assignment-based conceptual lifecycle assessment method for selecting optimal agri-industrial materials production pathway: A case study on Nigerian yam value chain. Agronomy Research, 18(3), 2004–2016. https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.20.164
- Patwary, A. A.-N., Naha, R. K., Garg, S., Battula, S. K., Patwary, M. A. K., Aghasian, E., Amin, M. B., Mahanti, A., & Gong, M. (2021). Towards secure fog computing: A survey on trust management, privacy, authentication, threats and access control. Electronics, 10(10), Article 1171. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10101171
- Tortorelli, C., Choate, P., Clayton, M., El Jamal, N., Kaur, S., & Schantz, K. (2021). Simulation in social work: Creativity of students and faculty during COVID-19. Social Sciences, 10(1), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10010007
- Uttl, B., & Violo, V. C. (2021). Small samples, unreasonable generalizations, and outliers: Gender bias in student evaluation of teaching or three unhappy students? ScienceOpen Research. https://doi.org/10.14293/s2199-1006.1.sor.2021.0001.v1
Funding Year 2019-2020
- Amannejad, Y., Krishnamurthy, D., & Far, B. (2019). Prospective: A data-driven technique to predict web service response time percentiles. IEEE Access, 7, 127904–127919. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2019.2939805
- Currie, G., & Szabo, J. (2019). It would be much easier if we were just quiet and disappeared: Parents silenced in the experience of caring for children with rare diseases. Health Expectations, 22(6), 1251–1259. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12958
- Parnell, J. A., Wagner-Jones, K., Madden, R. F., & Erdman, K. A. (2020). Dietary restrictions in endurance runners to mitigate exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 17(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00361-w
Funding Year 2018-2019
- Braun, S. L., Ben Moussa, M., Dafri, W., & Stranjančević, A. (2019). Socialization and the construction of a professional identity among public relations students in the United Arab Emirates. In M. Carmo (Ed.), Education applications & developments IV (pp. 15–27). inScience Press. https://press.insciencepress.org/index.php/press/catalog/book/3
- Leacy, J. K., Zouboules, S. M., Mann, C. R., Peltonen, J. D. B., Saran, G., Nysten, C. E., Nysten, H. E., Brutsaert, T. D., O’Halloran, K. D., Sherpa, M. T., & Day, T. A. (2018). Neurovascular coupling remains intact during incremental ascent to high altitude (4240 m) in acclimatized healthy volunteers. Frontiers in Physiology, 9, Article 1691. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01691
- Jakubec, S. L., Olfert, M., Choi, L. L., Dawe, N., & Sheehan, D. (2019). Understanding belonging and community connection for seniors living in the suburbs. Urban Planning, 4(2), 43–52. https://doi.org/10.17645/up.v4i2.1896
- O’Connor, T. (2019). A reading-writing assignment based on popular literature to enhance learning about microbiology. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, 20(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.v20i1.1688
- Parnell, J. A., Lafave, H., Wagner-Jones, K., Madden, R. F., & Erdman, K. A. (2019). Development of a questionnaire to assess dietary restrictions runners use to mitigate gastrointestinal symptoms. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 16, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0278-7
Funding Year 2017-2018
- Currie, G., Wheatley, C., Caddell, K., & Dionne, K. (2018). Caring for late preterm infants: Public health nurses’ experiences. BMC Nursing, 17, Article 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-018-0313-9
Funding Year 2016-2017
- Tymko, M. M., Rickards, C. A., Skow, R. J., Ingram-Cotton, N. C., Howatt, M. K., & Day, T. A. (2016). The effects of superimposed tilt and lower body negative pressure on anterior and posterior cerebral circulations. Physiological Reports, 4(17), Article e12957. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.12957
- Dosani, A., Hemraj, J., Premji, S. S., Currie, G., Reilly, S. M., Lodha, A. K., Young, M., & Hall, M. (2016). Breastfeeding the late preterm infant: Experiences of mothers and perceptions of public health nurses. International Breastfeeding Journal, 12, Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-017-0114-0
- Murray, S. W. (Ed.). (2017). Understanding atrocities: Remembering, representing, and teaching genocide. University of Calgary Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781552388877
- Parnell, J. A., Wiens, K. P., & Erdman, K. A. (2016). Dietary intakes and supplement use in pre-adolescent and adolescent Canadian athletes. Nutrients, 8(9), Article 526. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8090526
- Sheehan, D., Van Wyk, N., Johnson, E., & Blanch, A. (2016). Functional physical literacy for child and youth recreation programming: A community response to the 2015 Canadian Recreation Framework. International Journal of Sport Management, Recreation & Tourism, 25, 9–21. https://doi.org/10.5199/ijsmart-1791-874X-25b
- Thangarajah, P., & Zizler, P. (2017). On wide sense stationary processes over finite non-abelian groups. Cogent Mathematics, 4(1), Article 1313926. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311835.2017.1313926
Publishing help
Open access choices affect four practical questions for authors: whether fees apply, what version you can share, where you can share it, and what others are allowed to do with it.
Routes, rights, and sharing
- Gold OA – the publisher makes the final version open at publication. Fees may apply, and reuse rights depend on the licence.
- Diamond OA – open to read and no fee for authors to publish. Costs are usually covered by institutions, societies, funders, or other community supports.
- Green OA – you publish, then share an allowed version, often the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM), in a repository. Embargoes may apply. Also known as self-archiving.
- Hybrid OA – an open access option within a subscription journal, usually involving a fee. Check whether repository deposit is also allowed.
Before signing a publishing agreement: check whether you can keep enough rights to deposit your work, meet funder requirements, and share it for teaching, research, or public access.
Some open access works are shared under licences, such as Creative Commons licences, that explain how others may reuse the work. Always check the licence or repository record for the specific terms.
Tip: You may be able to make your work open without paying a publishing fee by depositing an allowed version in a repository or choosing a no-fee open access journal.
Key point: Open access can give authors more ways to share their work, but rights and reuse options depend on the journal, licence, funder policy, and publishing agreement. Your subject librarian can help you explore your approaches for providing access while respecting ethical, legal, and community considerations.
Responsible sharing and access options
Not all research materials can or should be shared openly. Embargoes, mediated access, and controlled sharing can help balance openness with privacy, ethics, Indigenous data sovereignty, community agreements, and legal or contractual limits.
▼ Use these tools depending on your stage in the publishing process (choosing a journal, signing an agreement, or sharing your work).
- Check what you can share
- Open Policy Finder (journal/publisher sharing policies)
- ShareYourPaper (quick self-archiving check/workflow)
- Choose a licence
- Understand your rights
- Assess journals and publishing practices
- Policies and requirements
- Related MRU supports
What can you share, and when?
Key terminology to know to help you self archive
- Preprint: before peer review
- Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM): after peer review, before publisher formatting
- Version of Record: publisher PDF/HTML
What you can deposit (and any waiting period) depends on the publisher policy and your publishing agreement. Waiting periods are usually counted from the publication date.
What should I do first?
Start here if you want to make your work openly available.
- Check whether you can publish without paying fees.
Look for a no-fee journal or see whether your article can be self-archived in a repository. - If the journal charges an APC, check for publisher agreements, discounts, or waivers.
Some MRU authors are eligible for full or partial fee coverage through publisher agreements. - Check what version you can share.
Many journals allow deposit of an accepted manuscript, sometimes after an embargo. - Consider funder or grant requirements.
If your research is grant-funded, make sure your publishing route will meet open access requirements. - Ask for help early.
Your subject librarian can help you compare options before you submit.
What does “open access” mean?
Open access means your research is free to read online, without paywalls. In many cases, it also allows others to reuse your work under clear conditions (e.g., with attribution).
Do I have to pay to publish open access?
No. Many authors can publish open access without paying fees by:
- publishing in no-fee (diamond) journals
- self-archiving in a repository
- using publisher agreements through the Library
What is an APC?
An APC (Article Processing Charge) is a fee some journals charge to make your article open access. Not all journals charge APCs.
What is self-archiving?
Self-archiving means sharing a version of your article in a repository, often without paying fees. This is often called Green OA.
What version of my article can I share?
It depends on the journal. Common versions include:
- Preprint – before peer review
- Accepted manuscript – after peer review, before publisher formatting
- Final published version – the formatted version published by the journal
Many journals allow sharing the accepted manuscript, sometimes after a delay (embargo).
Is open access the same as sharing on ResearchGate or Academia.edu?
No. Uploading your work to sites like ResearchGate or Academia.edu does not necessarily make it open access and may not comply with publisher policies.
These platforms are commercial and do not replace trusted repositories. In some cases, uploading publisher PDFs to these sites may violate your publishing agreement.
To share your work openly and responsibly:
- use a trusted repository (such as MRU’s Institutional Repository)
- check what version you are allowed to share
- follow any embargo requirements
If you are unsure what you can share, your subject librarian can help you check permissions and choose the best option.
What is a repository?
A repository is a trusted online platform where you can store and share your research (e.g., MRU’s Institutional Repository). It helps make your work visible and accessible.
What is an embargo?
An embargo is a waiting period set by a publisher before you can make your work openly available. You can often deposit your work right away and have it released later.
What is “diamond” open access?
Diamond open access journals are:
- free to read
- free to publish in
They are often supported by universities, libraries, or scholarly communities.
What are publisher agreements that support open access?
MRU Library has agreements with publishers that help reduce or cover open access publishing fees. Some combine subscription access with publishing (“read and publish”), while others apply to fully open access publishers. Eligibility and coverage vary by publisher.
What is a Creative Commons licence?
A Creative Commons licence tells others how they can use your work (e.g., share, reuse, adapt), usually with attribution. Open access publications often use these licences.
How do I know what I’m allowed to share?
You can:
- check publisher policies using tools like Open Policy Finder
- use ShareYourPaper for article-level checks
- contact your subject librarian for help
What is the best option for me?
The best route depends on your journal, funder requirements, costs, and what version you are allowed to share. Many authors start with:
- no-fee journals, or
- self-archiving in a repository
Your choice also depends on:
- journal requirements
- funder policies
- cost considerations
- how you want to share your work
Will open access help my research visibility?
Open access can increase:
- visibility and readership
- opportunities for collaboration
- public and community access
However, impact varies by field and publication choices.
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 |