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APC waivers
OA Fee Finder
Find journals offering waived or discounted APCs (Article Publishing Charges) via MRU Library deals..
Publisher Requirements for Waivers/Discounts
Publishing options
MRU faculty have several ways to make research openly accessible — often at no cost. You can publish in open access journals, deposit your work in a repository, or apply for library-supported funding.
1. Publish open without paying fees
Make your work freely available without article processing charges (APCs).
No-fee open access journals
- Use MRU’s OA Fee Finder to find no-fee journals, including many Canadian diamond open access titles.
- Use the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) to find journals with no article processing charges.
Learn more about Canadian no-fee journals
- Watch: PKP webinar Documenting the Canadian Scholarly Journal Landscape (April, 2025).
- Browse:
- Read:
Deposit in a repository
Share versions of your work after publication (self-archiving).
- Institutional: MROAR | MRU Data Repository
- Disciplinary: e.g. arXiv, bioRxiv, SSRN (see full list)
- Multidisciplinary: OSF, Zenodo
- Data-specific: Dryad, figshare, Federated Research Data Repository, OpenICPSR
- Code: GitHub
Tip: If you or someone you mentored presented at Research and Scholarship Days, consider depositing your poster or presentation in MRU’s Open Access Repository to increase visibility and preserve your contribution. Other materials from local conferences, workshops, or community publications may also be eligible — contact us to learn more.
Check copyright & journal policies
Use the Open policy finder (Sherpa Romeo) or your journal agreement to confirm archiving and sharing options. Learn more about copyright and depositing.
Tip: Connect with your Subject Librarian early, preferably before submitting your manuscript, to review your publishing options. Librarians can help you identify trusted journals, confirm copyright and self-archiving rights, and spot opportunities for fee waivers or repository sharing.
2. Pay to publish — with support
Some open access journals charge APCs. You may be eligible for help.
About fee-based OA publishing
- Open access journals: All content is free to readers, but APCs are common. The DOAJ includes a comprehensive list of OA journals.
- Hybrid journals: Subscription-based, but offer optional open access for a fee.
Library support available
- Apply for the Open Access Fund. Covers APCs for eligible MRU faculty publications.
- Use the OA Fee Finder. Discover APC discounts and waivers through MRU publisher agreements (restrictions apply).
Budgeting tips
- Estimate APC costs in advance. Review journal websites to forecast expenses.
- Include APCs in grant applications. APCs are Tri-Agency eligible.
3. Showcase your Open Access contributions
Open access supports research impact, equity, and public engagement.
Ways to highlight your open work
- Track your contributions. Include open access publications and repository deposits on your CV.
- Describe the value. Explain how open access extends reach to practitioners, policymakers, education and communities.
- Point to evidence. Cite downloads, reuse, and policy citations to show engagement.
- Get credit for your work. Get a free ORCID iD to ensure publications and datasets are reliably attributed to you. It’s quick to set up, free, and fully controlled by you. Learn more about ORCID at MRU.
Thinking about how to document the impact of your open research?
Visit MRU’s Research Assessment page for guidance on narrative CVs, responsible research assessment, and ways to showcase open practices, data sharing, and public engagement.
Need support?
Publishing Open Access books
Open access (OA) book publishing is an increasingly viable and impactful option for researchers, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Many university presses and scholarly publishers now offer peer-reviewed OA monographs and edited collections, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of academic work.
Assessing publishers
When considering OA book publishers, consider their reputation and publishing practices:
- Peer review. Ensure the publisher conducts rigorous peer review to maintain scholarly standards.
- Licensing. Look for publishers that use clear licensing, such as Creative Commons, to define how your work can be used and shared.
- Transparency. Verify that the publisher provides transparent information about publication fees and processes.
- Indexing and distribution. Check if the publisher's books are indexed in major databases and distributed through reputable channels.
- Check copyright. If you plan to deposit your book or chapter in a repository, review your publishing agreement. You may be able to retain rights or use an author addendum to ensure self-archiving is permitted. Check out the CARL's guide to author rights.
Canadian open access book publishers
Several Canadian university presses are leaders in OA book publishing.
- Athabasca University Press (AU Press): Canada's first open access scholarly press, publishes peer-reviewed books across disciplines, including Indigenous studies, education, and labour history. All titles are freely available online under Creative Commons licenses.
- University of Calgary Press: Publishes peer-reviewed academic books across the humanities and social sciences. Signficant open access component available Creative Commons license. See the OA collection
- Concordia University Press: Focusing on scholarly works in the humanities and social sciences. Peer reviewed open access
These presses are members of the Association of Canadian University Presses, which supports scholarly publishing in Canada
Depositing books and chapters
If you've published a book or book chapter, consider depositing it in MRU's Open Access Repository (MROAR) to increase its visibility:
- Publisher policies. Review your publishing agreement to determine if self-archiving is permitted.
- Version. Typically, the accepted manuscript (post-peer review, pre-layout) can be deposited.
- Embargo periods. Some publishers may require an embargo period before deposit; ensure compliance with these terms.
For assistance with depositing your work, consult the MROAR FAQs or contact the repository team at repository@mtroyal.ca
Funding and support
Publishing OA books may involve costs, such as book processing charges (BPCs). The Tri-Agency recognizes these as eligible expenses within grant applications. Additionally, MRU authors can:
- Apply for the MRU Open Access Fund. Supports OA publishing costs for eligible works.
- Explore publisher discounts. Some publishers offer discounts or waivers for OA publishing, check with the publisher.
Tip. If you’re publishing a textbook or other resource for teaching, check our Open Education page for supports and funding options.
Additional Resources
- Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB). A comprehensive directory of OA books from various publishers. Browse the DOAB by publisher
- Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA). Provides a list of reputable OA book publishers and resources.
- OAPEN Open Access Books Toolkit:. A free resource to help academic book authors understand open access book publishing. The toolkit including how to choose a publisher, funding models and copyright considerations, licensing and usage rights, quality assurance in OA book publishing.
Tri-Agency Open Access policy - how the Library can help
If you’ve received funding from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC, you’re required to make your peer-reviewed journal articles openly available within 12 months of publication. MRU Library offers support to help you meet these requirements, whether through publishing in an open access journal or depositing your manuscript in a repository (self-archiving).
Note. Updates expanding the open access mandate coming soon to the Tri-agency. We’ll update this page when details are announced. See the draft policy).
What do researchers need to do?
You must either deposit your article (self-archive) or publish in a compliant journal.
Option 1: Publish in an Open Access Journal
Choose a fully open access journal or select the open option in a hybrid journal. MRU faculty can:
- Apply to the Open Access Fund for APC support.
- Use the OA Fee Finder to check for journal discounts and waivers.
- Find no-fee open journals in the DOAJ
- Get help identifying compliant journals and interpret publisher policies and embargo periods from your Subject Librarian
Option 2: Deposit your manuscript in a repository
aka self-archiving or green open access
Deposit the accepted manuscript (post-peer review, pre-layout) within 12 months of publication in:
An institutional repository such as MRU’s Open Access Repository (MROAR) which accepts post-peer reviewed manuscripts, supports restricted access when needed and accepts a wide range of file types and materials. See the MROAR FAQs for more information.
A disciplinary repository (e.g., arXiv, PubMed Central)
We can help you confirm whether your journal permits self-archiving and how to comply with embargo rules.
Special considerations
CIHR grant holders. Must provide immediate open access (no embargo). Must deposit research data in a suitable repository. SSHRC and NSERC encourage ethical and open data sharing where possible. Contact our Data Librarian for help using MRU’s Open Data Repository.
Books and chapters: Not subject to this policy, but we’re happy to help you interpret applicable guidelines.
Related Tri-Agency requirements
The Tri-Agencies are also shifting expectations in two key areas:
Narrative CVs
Some programs use CV formats that highlight contributions, context, and impact. Visit our Research Assessment page to learn more about narrative CVs and responsible research assessment
Research data management
Most applications require a DMP (Data Management Plan). Visit our RDM page for guidance and tools and read the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy
Adapted with permission from Simon Fraser University Library, under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
Listing accepted manuscripts on your CV (before, during, and after embargo) - suggested approaches
Use clear version labels, include stable links, and note embargo dates. Examples below use APA-style wording - adapt to your field’s style.
Before embargo starts (accepted; deposit planned/underway)
Smith, J., & Vicky, F. (2025). Neural correlates of reflective attention during clinical reasoning. Brain Structure and Function. Accepted manuscript. Planned deposit in MRU Institutional Repository (will observe publisher embargo).
- Variant (with record stub): Accepted manuscript; repository record created (link forthcoming); embargo will apply.
During embargo (deposited; closed until release date)
Smith, J., & Vicky, F. (2025). Neural correlates of reflective attention during clinical reasoning. Brain Structure and Function. Accepted manuscript deposited in MRU Institutional Repository; embargoed until April 2026. Repository link.
- Compliance note: Tri-Agency OA requirement will be met at embargo expiry.
After embargo (open access AAM available)
Smith, J., & Vicky, F. (2025). Neural correlates of reflective attention during clinical reasoning. Brain Structure and Function, 230(4), 1021–1036. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx
Accepted manuscript (open access): MRU Institutional Repository.
- Short form: “Accepted manuscript available OA in MROAR.”
Quick tips
- Label the version (“Accepted manuscript,” “postprint”).
- Include stable links (DOI for the publisher version; repository URL/DOI for the AAM).
- State the embargo (“embargoed until [Month Year]”) while it’s closed.
- Update after expiry to show the OA link (remove the embargo note).
Open Access fund
The MRU Library offers an Open Access Fund to support MRU-affiliated authors in openly publishing their research. The Fund reimburses eligible fees associated with open access (OA) publishing. To date the Library OA fund has supported more than 40 publications by MRU authors. View them in our repository.
Author eligibility
Eligible applicants must be the primary author (e.g., lead, first-named, or corresponding author) and be affiliated with MRU as one of the following:
- Tenured, tenurable, or contract faculty member
- Full-time administrator or staff member
- Undergraduate student
Co-authors do not have to be affiliated with MRU.
In the event that a project has existing research funding, the request must be accompanied by a declaration that the open access APCs have not already been covered by the grant or are ineligible under the grant.
Publication criteria
Articles: The Fund reimburses article processing charges (APCs) for manuscripts accepted to peer-reviewed journals that:
- Use a full open access publishing model.
- Are listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
- Clearly list their open access fees on their website
- Make the open access version immediately available upon publication (e.g., no embargo period)
- Applies a Creative Commons license (e.g., CC-BY)
Check the journal webpage to find this information or search the DOAJ for journals and license options.
Books/Chapters: The Fund considers OA publishing fees for books and book chapters on a case-by-case basis, due to varying models used by publishers. In general, we expect:
- The full book (not just the chapter) is openly accessible upon publication
- The publisher is listed in the Directory of Open Access Books; or is a member of the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association
- OA fees are publicly listed
- A Creative Commons license is applied
If this information is not available, contact us with supporting evidence (e.g., your publishing contract, emails from your publisher, etc.) and we will review details with you.
Reimbursement limits
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, at the time of reimbursement, and require a paid invoice before approval of the reimbursement.
- Maximum reimbursement is $3,000 CAD per applicant per fiscal year.
- You may apply for multiple publications as long as the total remains within the cap.
- Applications are processed first-come, first-served at the time of reimbursement.
- We accept retroactive applications for fees paid within the past calendar year
Mandatory deposit in the Open Access Repository
- All funded publications must be deposited in the Mount Royal University Institutional Repository (MROAR).
- Authors are also encouraged to deposit supporting datasets in the Mount Royal University Data Repository. If a publisher data embargo applies, deposit the manuscript with the appropriate data embargo settings in place.
- The Library can assist with this process. Contact mrujs@mtroyal.ca for more information.
Application process
Complete the Open Access Fund Application Form to apply.
- Processing takes approximately 2-3 weeks after submission of paid invoice.
- Note: Applications approved after March 1st, will be processed in mid-April, due to fiscal year end.
Common questions
How much is in the Fund?
- We have set aside $15,000 (CDN) to reimburse authors for the current fiscal year.
Are formats other than journal articles and books/chapters eligible?
- Maybe. We recognize and are encouraged that open access research can come in a wide variety of formats beyond traditional articles and books. We are willing to consider alternative formats on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further information.
How do I apply?
- Please use the electronic application form to apply.
How long does it take to get reimbursed?
- Normally about 2-3 weeks. The Library will process your expense report quickly, then forward it to Finance for their usual payment processes. Note: reimbursements will be delayed from March 1 until mid-April (each year) to account for the university's fiscal year-end. You can still apply during this period, and we will clearly communicate about this delay if your application is successful.
Who do I contact if I have questions or want some help?
- We welcome any questions and are happy to assist you with any part of the process. Please use the contact section to find out how to get in touch with us.
Do other universities offer this kind of fund?
- Many universities in Canada and around the world also offer an open access fund in support of their local researchers. For examples, please see the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) curated list showing OA funds in action.
How do I budget for OA fees or article processing charges (APCs) in my grant proposals?
- We recommend budgeting publication charges as part of your grant proposal since many funding agencies treat open access fees as allowable grant expenses. Some examples include:
- To estimate these costs, try reviewing the websites of appropriate journals/publishers where you hope to publish your research. Your subject librarian can help you with this.
Why Open Access matters
Why publish open access?
Open access publishing increases the visibility, reach, and real-world impact of research by making it freely available to anyone, anywhere. It supports transparency, reuse, and the common good by allowing educators, policymakers, and communities to benefit from scholarship that might otherwise be locked behind paywalls.
Opportunities |
Considerations |
|---|---|
| Wider reach and greater research impact | APCs may apply and can be expensive |
| Free access for the public, practitioners, and policymakers | Fewer OA journals in some disciplines |
| Encourages reuse in teaching and education | Risk of predatory or low-quality publishers |
| Often cited more frequently (Piwowar et al., 2018) | May involve more administrative work (e.g., deposits, licensing) |
| Helps meet funder mandates and enhances transparency | Prestige still often tied to traditional journals |
For more check out this video:
Licensing and author rights
Understanding rights and responsibilities helps authors share their work openly and responsibly. Open access publishing typically allows researchers to retain more control over how their work is distributed, reused, and cited.
Author Rights
In most cases, authors who publish via an open access model retain more rights over their works than when publishing under a traditional model. Authors who publish via open access agree to right of use, allowing unrestricted distribution (reading, downloading, copying, sharing, storing, and printing) of the full-text work, provided the original author is credited. Authors may choose to license their works under open content licensing, such as Creative Commons.
To search for permissions given by publishers as part of a journal publisher’s copyright transfer agreement, see the Open Policy Finder.
Intellectual Property
Open access does not change intellectual property rights. Intellectual property includes patents, copyright, trademarks, and industrial design. For information about intellectual property in Canada, see the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
Copyright
Unlike traditional publishing, authors typically remain the copyright holders but allow the public to use and redistribute their work with attribution and based on conditions set out by the author. Most open access journals use existing copyright systems or Creative Commons licenses. More information is available from the Canadian Copyright Act.
Responsible sharing and access options
Some data and knowledge are not ready—or appropriate—to be shared openly. The Library provides repository tools and settings, including embargoes and controlled access, to support different sharing needs. If your research involves sensitive or community-based materials, connect with us about options that respect required limits while still supporting openness where possible.
