Open Access Explained
Here you'll learn why open access to research matters – and how you can publish your own work openly.
What is Open Access?
Open Access (OA) means that scholarly publications are freely available online to everyone worldwide – permanently, without paywalls, legally secure, and easy to find.
The idea originated within the academic community itself and was formalized in international declarations such as the Budapest Open Access Initiative (2002) and the Berlin Declaration (2003). Today, Open Access is a key component of responsible research within the broader context of Open Science and scholarly communication.
👉 For more background information, examples, and further resources, visit open-access.network
A few reasons for Open Access …
- More visibility: Open Access publications are read and cited more frequently.
- More equity: Everyone can access knowledge – regardless of background or institutional affiliation.
- More impact: Research findings can be used immediately by academia, practitioners, and the public.
Paths to Open Access
Gold Open Access
Immediate publication in a fully Open Access journal
The article is freely available as soon as it is published.
Funding is usually provided through a publication fee (APC).
Hybrid Open Access
OA option in a subscription journal
Individual articles are made openly available for a fee (Open Choice).
Often not recommended due to double dipping – charging both authors and subscribers.
Diamond Open Access
Open Access without publication fees
Publishing in fully Open Access journals that do not charge APCs. Often scholar-led and supported by academic institutions.
Green Open Access
Secondary publication in a repository
You publish first with a publisher and then deposit your work in a repository – sometimes after an embargo period.
Do you have questions or planning to publish?
We're happy to offer individual advice – just email us at openaccess@ulb.uni-bonn.de