Understanding Open Access

In recent years, several authors have approached the USF Libraries for assistance with article processing charges, or APCs, in order to publish their articles open access. Unfortunately, we do not have a fund to help with specific requests. However, we have very recently been able to set up a few transformative or read & publish agreements. As part of these agreements, USF authors can publish their articles open access with discounted or, in some cases, completely waived fees for article processing charges (APCs). The USF Libraries have transformative agreements with the following publishers:

• Cambridge University Press: Open access publishing fees are waived for all participating Cambridge University Press journals under USF Libraries' current and new contract. For a complete list of titles, go to the Cambridge Eligibility Checker webpage.

• Elsevier discounts: As an addition for 2024, there is a pilot discount on the APCs of 15% for publishing an Open Access article in Elsevier's Hybrid or Gold OA journals with the exception of Cell Press and The Lancet, and certain society titles (titles subject to change).

• Institute of Physics (IOP): For a small increase in our subscription costs, IOP is waiving author fees for open access publishing in Hybrid and Gold OA journals (see list of eligible journals). Managed by IOP. No cap on number of articles a year. For more information, go to IOP's Open Access webpage.

• MDPI discounts: MDPI offers a 10% discount on APC fees for USF authors, which is automatically applied.

• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC): For a small increase in library subscription costs, RSC is waiving author fees for open access publishing in their Hybrid Journals and Gold OA journals including RSC Advances. For a list of eligible journals, go to the RSC's Journal Finder webpage and select the University of South Florida in the Select Institution field. This service is managed by RSC, and there is not cap on the number of articles that can be submitted per year.

This is a limited but growing list of options, and the library is hoping to add one or more publishers to this list during the 2025 contract year. Please stay tuned and check back for more information!