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The library's Open Access fund helps researchers pay the article processing charges (APCs) associated with publishing in open access journals. We are providing these funds in order to encourage researchers to publish their work in high-quality open access publications. In order to ensure quality while supporting research from all AU disciplines, the journal in which your work will be published must meet certain criteria as detailed below.

We welcome feedback, questions, and other correspondence at oafund@american.edu, and encourage interested faculty to email for assistance with the application process.

Application Criteria

• Funds are available to all current AU faculty, staff, and students.
• The journal must meet at least two of the following four criteria:
  1. The journal is listed in the or its publisher is a member of the .
  2. The journal is included in academic databases (indexed) as reported by .
  3. The journal has an impact factor or other indicator of credibility (e.g., , ).
  4. It has nationally or internationally esteemed editors or editorial boards.
• If a journal charges a subscription fee, it is not a fully OA journal. Rather than subscriptions, many fully open access journals have article processing charges (APCs) to cover production costs. The Open Access Fund is designated for those costs.
• Funds can only be used to pay author processing charges for articles that have been accepted but not yet published.
• Payment must be made directly to journal (i.e., no author reimbursement).
• These funds should be considered last-resort. If your research is supported by a granting agency that allows grant funds to be used to pay article processing charges, please explain in your application.

Additional Details

• Authors must agree to deposit a copy of their manuscript in AU's open repository, AURA. We also encourage authors to deposit a copy of their research data in AURA when possible.
• The AU Library will fund publication of one open access article per author. A faculty member becomes eligible again for a second (or later) award 12 months after any given award is granted.
• Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until all funds have been expended.
• We will strive to respond to all correspondence to oafund@american.edu within two business days, and process all applications within one week.