What is Open Access?

Open Access (OA) describes the unrestricted and free access to scientific publications on the Internet, so it is an element of Open Science. OA reflects the understanding that publicly funded scientific research results must also be freely accessible to the interested public. The Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Scientific Knowledge from 2003 is considered a milestone in the Open Access movement.

The OA Models

There are different models of Open Access, which are often named after colours. Here are the three most common models:

• Green Open Access
  This involves the publication (e.g., secondary publication, OA archiving, self-archiving) of a scientific work via an (institutional) repository, a personal website, or the website of a research institute. Many publishers now allow the publicly accessible sharing of the manuscript version (preprint) of an already published work. The Sherpa/Romeo database provides an overview of the legal conditions of various publishers. Publishing the green way is generally free of charge and can occur prior to, simultaneously with, or after the publisher's publication.


• Gold Open Access
  This model describes the first publication of a work in an Open Access journal or by an Open Access publisher. Unlike the traditional subscription model, Gold Open Access eliminates the subscription fees that libraries or institutions typically pay. Publishing the gold way may involve the payment of so-called Article Processing Charges (APCs), which are usually paid by the respective academic institutions instead of the authors. Publications from Open Access publishers and other information can be accessed through the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB).


• Hybrid Open Access
  The hybrid model refers to OA publication in a subscription-based journal or publisher. By paying additional publication fees, the work in question is made publicly accessible on the journal's or publisher's website upon its initial release, while the rest of the journal's content remains behind a paywall.

Find a detailed overview of all OA models here.

The Open Access/Open Science Working Group of the Max Planck Society

The OA/OS working group consists of information service providers from the Max Planck Society. Members exchange ideas on various topics related to Open Access and Open Science, organize informational events, and maintain both internal and external contacts. Find more information here.

Open Access at Saarland University

Saarland University strongly supports Open Access. Find information on publication funds, guidelines, current informational events, and much more here.