Open Access: A User Guide
Green Open Access
This model allows for self-archiving, meaning that authors can deposit a permitted version of their work in the institutional repository (AIR – Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca). Depending on the publisher’s policy, this may include the manuscript, pre-print, post-print, or e-pub ahead of print. Most scientific publishers support this Open Access model. In line with the University’s Open Access policies, the Digital Library Office ensures that contracts allow for this form of publication.
Gold Open Access Journals
Under this publishing model, all articles are openly accessible without subscription fees. Gold Open Access journals are identified by an orange open padlock symbol, meaning that all their articles are freely available to anyone, regardless of institutional affiliation. These journals are funded exclusively through Article Processing Charges (APCs). In some cases, publishers offer discounts on APCs under institutional membership agreements negotiated by the University’s Digital Library Office.
Hybrid Journals
Hybrid journals publish both Open Access articles, which are freely accessible to all, and subscription-based articles, which can only be accessed by users affiliated with institutions that have a subscription to the journal.
Transformative Agreements: Read and Publish
Transformative agreements are commercial arrangements that provide access to electronic journals from major international publishers. These agreements are designed as a transitional model, gradually shifting from a subscription-based system to a framework where institutional payments cover the editorial process for Open Access publishing. Transformative agreements typically include hybrid journals or a combination of hybrid and Gold Open Access journals.
This model allows institutions both to access the subscribed journal collection (read) and to publish a certain number of Open Access articles by affiliated authors (publish).
The University of Milan participates in national transformative agreements negotiated by CARE (Coordinamento per l’Accesso alle Risorse Elettroniche) under the CRUI framework.
At the University, the contact person for CRUI transformative agreements is the Approval Manager for the Open Access publishing workflow.
Guarantees for Authors under CRUI Transformative Agreements
- Creative Commons Licence – The Open Access licence is predominantly CC BY, though some journals may offer CC BY-NC, depending on the specific contract.
- Author Copyright Retention – Authors retain copyright over their published work.
- Open Access as a Choice – In the case of hybrid journals, authors can decide whether or not to publish in Open Access.
- Equal Visibility – Open Access articles are published and made available in the same environment and under the same conditions as subscription-based articles.
