Open Access | VSNU

"The rise of the Internet has the potential to spread radically changed scientific knowledge. Digitisation has ensured that potentially anyone with Internet access can benefit from the latest scientific insights. Open access seeks the results of scientific research (especially if it is funded by public funds) as free as possible digitally available to you. The Dutch universities are a strong supporter of Open access and have settled here over the years in various ways for residency.   Recently, the subject also received the full attention of the Cabinet. In a letter to the Lower House, the State Secretary's position that publicly funded research should be freely accessible. basically He makes - in imitation of the UK - a deliberate choice for the gold route . His ambition is that in ten years (2024) 100 percent of the Dutch Open access scientific publications and in five years (2019), 60 percent.   The Dutch universities have a reaction to know to be happy with the support of the Cabinet. For the fundamental choice for the gold route, universities understanding. Probably the golden route to term the most sustainable solution. But he is also complex, as the experience in the United Kingdom show. Universities also expect publishers make active bets. Thus, it is necessary that they convert all eventually their journals to open access journals and that a solution to the problem of 'double dipping' during the transition phase: the problem that during the transition universities pay both for the realization of Open Access 's own scientific production for the licenses.   An important point to come to agreements with publishers is the renewal of the so-called "big deal" negotiations. For ten years, publishers offer their publications in large package deals to. Universities now have access to the total package of titles from a publisher. These deals have a duration of 3 to 5 years. Coming period will be negotiated with a number of major publishers on the renewal of those contracts. Universities will seize that opportunity except on the renewal of licenses also make a transition to Open Access. Agreements with publishers Universities expect from publishers that they will take to make that transition. Possible serious steps   The negotiations with the publishers will be conducted in close cooperation between the VSNU and UKB (the consortium of university libraries and the Royal Library). Koen Becking (Tilburg University) and Gerard Meijer (Radboud University Nijmegen) are designated by the General Board of the VSNU as administrative tractors. "