Open access publishing agreements
Researchers affiliated to the University of York can publish open access in a wide range of academic journals without having to pay an open access article publication charge (APC).
The Library holds agreements with journal publishers which allow corresponding authors affiliated to University of York to publish open access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence in several thousand titles, with the cost covered by the Library agreement.
2025 renewals
Some open access publishing agreements will not be renewed for 2025. Please see under the individual agreements below for details. Agreements noted as 'under review' have yet to have final decisions made about them. This page will be updated as decisions are made. Please get in touch via the email in the 'Contact us' box if you need advice on specific publishers, or journals.
Where can I publish open access?
Find journals where you can publish open access free of charge, or where fees are paid by the Library.
Journals included: all hybrid and fully open access journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should select University of York as their institution on submission in ACS’s submission system, Paragon Plus. At manuscript acceptance, authors will be directed by ACS to sign the appropriate journal publishing agreement for the deal. ACS will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit: yes, if the author informs ACS of a funder requirement.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: under review.
Journals included: most AIP hybrid journals. Fully open access journals not included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors must use their University of York postal and email addresses when submitting their papers to AIP.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: all 9 hybrid Physical Review journals. Fully open access journals not included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: 87 hybrid APA journals and 15 hybrid Hogrefe journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors must enter their affiliation as University of York in APA’s submission system and select the open access option which they are presented with after their article has been accepted for publication. APA will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: 25% discount on APCs for 3 Hogrefe fully open access journals:
- European Journal of Psychology Open
- Psychological Test Adaptation and Development
- Sports Psychiatry - Journal of Sports and Exercise Psychiatry
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: Hybrid journals in BMJ’s ‘Standard Collection’. Use the search box at the top of this page to find which journals are included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors. In addition, the paper needs to acknowledge one of the following funders:
- UKRI
- Wellcome Trust
- British Heart Foundation
- Blood Cancer UK
- Cancer Research UK
- Parkinsons UK
- Versus Arthritis
(It is not necessary for the corresponding author to be the holder of the funding).
Instructions for authors: when submitting their manuscript to BMJ, eligible authors should enter the University’s Ringgold ID (8748) and their funder’s Open Funder ID when prompted into BMJ’s submission system. BMJ will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: all hybrid and fully open access journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission. Further information on the Brill website.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: under review.
Journals included: all BUP and Policy Press hybrid journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit: Longitudinal and Life Course Studies is deposited to PMC as standard. Where an author’s funder requires PMC deposit, BUP will work with the author to investigate submission to PMC.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: approximately 95% of CUP’s hybrid and fully open access journals. See CUP's open access waivers and discounts page for a list of journals covered.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission. CUP will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: under review.
Journals included: all CSHLP research journals. Review and methods journals are excluded, because these do not have open access options.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: all CoB hybrid journals. Fully open access journals not included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: cancelled for 2025.
Journals included: Elsevier’s Core hybrid journals, including hybrid Cell Press and Lancet journals. Fully open access journals not included in the free OA deal.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission. Elsevier will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: 15% discount on APCs for fully open access journals which are paid via York Open Access Fund (YOAF). Authors should apply to YOAF if they are publishing in a fully open access Elsevier journal and require funding to cover the open access fee (APC).
2025 renewal: cancelled for 2025.
Journals included: all hybrid journals and book series within the Lyell Collection.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit: no.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: cancelled for 2025.
Journals included: most hybrid journals and fully open access journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes. if required by funder.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: any John Benjamins journal.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes. if required by funder. It is recommended that authors discuss this requirement with John Benjamins, if it pertains.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: any Microbiology Society journal.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: most hybrid and fully open access journals. A list of eligible journals is available on the OUP website.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission. A step by step guide is available on the OUP website. OUP will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: cancelled for 2025.
Journals included: all PLOS journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: 25% discount on APCs (aka ‘non-member fees’) for York-affiliated authors, where the York-affiliated author is not the submitting corresponding author, for PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, PLOS Medicine and PLOS Biology.
2025 renewal: under review.
Journals included: all Portland Press journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: All RUP hybrid journals. Fully open access journals not included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: all Royal Society journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors must select University of York (Ringgold ID 8748) as their affiliation in the The Royal Society’s manuscript submission system (ScholarOne).
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: all RSC hybrid journals. Fully open access journals not included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit: for articles funded by Europe PubMed Central funders.
Additional discounts: 15% discount on APCs for York submitting corresponding authors in all RSC fully open access journals.
2025 renewal: renewed for 2025.
Journals included: most Sage hybrid journals. Fully open access journals not included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: 20% discount on APCs for York submitting corresponding authors in all Sage fully open access journals.
2025 renewal: cancelled for 2025.
Journals included: Journal of Neuroscience.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: under review.
Journals included: most SN hybrid journals, including those published under the Palgrave and Nature imprints. Fully open access journals are not included. See the Springer website for a full list of eligible journals.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission. SN will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: 15% discount on APCs for fully open access journals which are paid via York Open Access Fund. Authors should apply to YOAF if they are publishing in a fully open access SN journal and require funding to cover the open access fee (APC).
2025 renewal: cancelled for 2025.
SN have advised us that papers accepted for publication and approved by the Library before the end of 31 December 2024 will be covered by the current agreement. Papers which have not been approved by the Library by end of that date will not be covered. (As noted above, SN requires that the Library approve papers - i.e. confirm the corresponding author's affiliation to the University - after they have been accepted for publication. This is managed via SN's online system. The Library will ensure that any papers that are waiting for approval in SN's system by the end of 31 December will be approved. We have asked SN to confirm how long it usually takes after a paper is accepted before it is available for approval in their system. Until we know this, we are not able to advise on whether papers which are accepted close to the 31 December deadline will be covered by the agreement, unfortunately. We will update this note as and when we learn more from SN).
Journals included: hybrid and fully open access journals, including F1000Research and Routledge Open Research. See the T&F website for a full list of journals included. Dove Medical Press journals are not included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission. T&F will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: under review.
Journals included: most Wiley hybrid and fully open access journals, including those published under the Hindawi imprint. See the Wiley website for a full list of the journals included.
Author eligibility: York submitting corresponding authors.
Instructions for authors: authors should use their University of York email address and give University of York as their affiliation on submission. Further author instructions on the Wiley website. Wiley will contact the Library for confirmation of affiliation on acceptance for publication.
Europe PubMed Central deposit : yes.
Additional discounts: none.
2025 renewal: cancelled for 2025.
All new submissions to fully open access journals from January 1st 2025 will be excluded from the agreement.
All new acceptances in hybrid journals from January 1st 2025 will be excluded from the agreement.
Current discounts
We also have discounts available for the following publishers.
As a participant in the Institutional Open Access Program, corresponding authors affiliated to University of York are entitled to a 20% discount on standard article processing charges (APCs) for all MDPI journals; a 10% discount on book processing charges (BPCs) at MDPI Books; and a 15% discount on MDPI language editing services.
To receive the APC discount, select University of York from the Institutional Open Access Program option during the submission process (if you are submitting from on campus then this option should select automatically).
These discounts cannot be used in combination with other discounts offered by MDPI.
No. If the journal that you are submitting to is included in a publisher agreement, then open access can be requested through the journal’s own systems and there is no need to submit a request to the Library.
In some cases publishers will automatically include your article based on your affiliation to University of York. For some journals you may have to select the appropriate option in the publisher’s system.
In order to publish under one of our agreements the submitting corresponding author (i.e. the author who manages the publication process and corresponds with the publisher) must be affiliated with the University of York. In order to be classed as affiliated to the University a person needs to be employed by the University, hold an emeritus title from the University or be a registered student. Usually, the affiliation needs to be current at the time of submission, though publisher practices may vary on this point. With some deals affiliation is determined solely by the publisher on the basis of information submitted by the author, but with others the publisher will ask the Library to confirm the author's affiliation.
For a very small minority of agreements, eligibility will be limited to author’s acknowledging funding from UKRI, Wellcome Trust, or certain other medical research charities. Where this is the case it will be clearly indicated on the journal search tool.
If you are unsure about your eligibility for the agreement, you can contact the open access team in the Library, or the publisher of the journal to which you are submitting.
All agreements will include original research and review articles. Some publishers will also allow other articles types to be made open access through agreements. For more information you should contact the publisher of the journal to which you are submitting.
Hybrid journals publish a mixture of open access articles and articles that require payment to access (either via a personal subscription, an institutional subscription, or by purchasing individual articles). Fully open access journals only contain open access articles.
Europe PubMed Central (Europe PMC) is an open access repository of life sciences articles supported by a number of research funders. Publishers which deposit to Europe PMC generally do so either if the article acknowledges funding from one of the funders that require Europe PMC deposit (generally those which support Europe PMC), or if the article falls into the life sciences subject area.
Content in Europe PMC and the US-based PubMed Central is mirrored. Some publishers will deposit to PubMed Central instead of Europe PMC, but it doesn’t matter which repository an article is deposited to - it will appear in both.