Funders have extended or delayed community input into the review of their open-access policies
The National Institute for Health Research and UK Research and Innovation have postponed community engagement over their open-access policies due to coronavirus.
Both funders are currently reviewing their open-access policies in accordance with Plan S—the initiative in which a group of funders require the research work they support to be made openly available immediately from 2021.
But on 8 April the NIHR announced it was postponing its planned stakeholder engagement until further notice.
“This remains a priority area of work and we are committed to working with our community to understand the challenges and opportunities of OA publishing,” the funder said.
Meanwhile, UKRI recently announced it had extended the deadline for submissions to its open access policy consultation by six weeks to 29 May 2020.
“During the coronavirus pandemic, UKRI is prioritising safety and well-being and, as far as possible, the continuation of our business as a national funder of research and innovation,” it said.
“UKRI recognises there are ongoing changing circumstances and this new deadline takes this into account. We will however work closely with our community and keep the position under review as the situation evolves. We will proactively notify stakeholders of any further changes to the timetable.”