What is the difference between publishing open access and archiving?

Let's compare the differences between publishing OA and archiving - remember that either can be compliant with your funder's policies!

Publishing open access

    • The VoR (final PDF) is made OA immediately upon official publication in the journal

    • No delay

    • It is available to read for free on the publisher's website

    • No action required from author

    • Under an open license

    • Depends on author's choice

    • Possible cost to the author

Archiving

    • The author needs to put their AAM into an institutional (or subject) repository

    • Sometimes an embargo (6-12 months)

    • The AAM is only accessible via the repository, the VoR is still behind closed access on the publisher's site

    • No action from the publisher in making the article OA

    • Usually, no license applies

    • Depends on publisher's permissions

    • No cost to the author (some exceptions)

Watch our webinar 'How Does Open Access Fit with Funder Requirements?'