Models of Open Access
- Gold OA: Published immediately as OA. Usually requires APC ($1,000–$4,000). Examples: PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports.
- Green OA: Author deposits accepted manuscript in a repository. Free for the author.
- Diamond OA: Published OA with no APC — costs covered by institutions.
Preprints: Sharing Before Peer Review
Preprint servers (bioRxiv, medRxiv, SSRN) allow sharing before peer review. Most journals accept manuscripts previously posted as preprints — always check journal policy.
Funder Mandates
Plan S requires that all research funded by its signatories be published OA. Check your funder's OA policy early — it may restrict journal choice or provide APC funding.