Press Release: RCUK Announces Proposed Position on Access to ResearchOutputs

[Stevan Harnad <harnad@ecs.soton.ac.uk>]

    Pertinent Prior AmSci Topic Thread:
    "New international study demonstrates worldwide readiness 
    for Open Access mandate" (June 23 2005)
    http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~harnad/Hypermail/Amsci/4604.html

        Forwarded RCUK Press Release 28 June 2005
        http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/press/20050628openaccess.asp

        RCUK Announces Proposed Position on Access to Research Outputs
        http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/access/index.asp

    The principal investors in publicly-funded research in the UK have
    responded to the debate on improved access to research outputs by
    putting forward their emerging views on the issue.

    The eight UK Research Councils, under the umbrella of Research
    Councils UK (RCUK), have proposed to make it mandatory for research
    papers arising from Council-funded work to be deposited in openly
    available repositories at the earliest opportunity.

    The Councils are seeking views on their position statement published
    today (28 June 2005) on the RCUK website.
    http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/access/index.asp

    RCUK spokesman, Professor Ian Diamond said that Councils have already
    widely consulted the research community:

    "We've held workshops, given evidence at Select Committees, met with
    the publishers through a DTI working group and written out to all
    UK Vice Chancellors to share our views as they emerge on this issue
    and hear what others are saying," he said.

    "The technology that has led to this debate is still evolving and
    so is our position. We see today's statement as a starting point
    and we're actively seeking the views of all parties involved in the
    debate, such as the Learned Societies," he added.

    RCUK's position would apply to new grants awarded after 1 October
    this year. Given the long-term nature of most research, the impact
    of the policy will not be felt immediately.

    "The Research Councils are responsible for supporting and promoting
    the activities of a research base that is vibrant, productive and
    sustainable. We're therefore committed to ensuring the widest possible
    dissemination of ideas and knowledge, effective quality assurance of
    research and its results, cost effective use of public funds and the
    long-term preservation of research outputs. Our emerging position on
    the access issue should come as no surprise to those who understand
    our remit," said Professor Diamond.

    RCUK proposes:
    
A requirement for all grants awarded from 1 October 2005 that, subject to
copyright and licensing arrangements, a copy of any resultant published
journal articles or conference proceedings should be deposited in an
appropriate e-print repository (either institutional or subject-based)
wherever such a repository is available to the award-holder. Deposit
should take place at the earliest opportunity, wherever possible at or
around the time of publication.

Research Councils will also encourage, but not formally oblige,
award-holders to deposit articles arising from grants awarded before 1
October 2005.

Councils will ensure that applicants for grants are allowed, subject to
justification of cost-effectiveness, to include in the costing of their
projects the predicted costs of any publication in author-pays journals.
    
The Research Councils argue that technology offers new possibilities to
communicate the results of research, through developments in electronic
publishing such as open access journals and e-print repositories.
    
    Notes for editors
    
A full copy of RCUK's position statement on access to research outputs
can be found at http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/access/index.asp
    
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's eight
Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Councils work together to champion
the research, training and innovation they support. The Councils are
independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget
through the Office of Science and Technology.
    
RCUK was created to increase the collective visibility, leadership and
policy influence of the Research Councils; to stimulate multi-disciplinary
research that encourages collaboration; to provide a single focus for
collective dialogue with stakeholders and to encourage greater
harmonisation of internal operations.
    
The partnership is led by the RCUK Executive Group, which meets monthly
and comprises the chief executives of the eight Research Councils. The
Group is currently chaired by Professor Ian Diamond, chief executive of
the Economic and Social Research Council.
    
    BBSRC http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/ currently manages media relations for 
    Research Councils UK. Please contact Media Officer, Matt Goode 01793 413299
    matt.goode@bbsrc.ac.uk
    
    The eight UK Research Councils are:
    
      * Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
      * Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
      * Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC);
      * Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
      * Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
      * Medical Research Council (MRC);
      * Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
      * Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council (PPARC).

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