On this page: Archive in an open repository | Open access journals | Author fees/Library APC discounts | Research data
Video: Making your work open access: Psst it doesn't have to cost money (presentation given October 2022).
Make your articles open: 2 options
1. Archive in an open repository
Deposit a version of your publication in an open access repository such as eScholarship@McGill repository.
Fill out the eScholarship deposit form.
2. Open access journals
- Discover OA journals in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
- Note many OA journals charge article processing charges (APCs).
- See our library discounts.
- Limit in the DOAJ to OA journals without fees.
- See also Finding legitimate OA publishers
- Note many OA journals charge article processing charges (APCs).
Paying author fees/ library APC discounts
McGill Libraries do not have a fund for author fees. However, there are additional options for funding:
- APCs are typically an allowable grant expense; check with your funder
- Professional Development Fund for Eligible Academics can be used to cover APCs
McGill Libraries have also received through agreements with several publishers, the following APC discounts:
Inclusion on this list does not equal an endorsement by the McGill Libraries.
**NOTE: PLEASE USE YOUR @MCGILL.CA OR @MAIL.MCGILL.CA EMAIL WHEN SUBMITTING FOR DISCOUNTS**
| Publisher | discount | eligible party | additional details |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) - Science Advances | 15% | Corresponding author |  Science Advances APC discount process (PDF, 190KB) |
| American Chemical Society (ACS) | $250 USD | Corresponding author | This discount applies to hybrid journals and is in addition to any personal membership discounts. Authors must self-identify when submitting. More information can be found on the CRKN website. |
| BMJ Case Reports | 100% of fellowship fee (does not apply to separate OA fee) | Corresponding author |
Please email schulich.library [AT] mcgill.ca to receive the code. Note: Must list 'McGill University' as your affiliation when using the code. |
| Canadian Science Publishing |
100% (certain journals only) 25% (additional journals) |
Corresponding author |
100% discount applies to corresponding authors in:
25% discount applies to all CSP Hybrid journals. Note this discount does not apply to the following Gold OA journals: Arctic Science, Drone Systems and Applications, and FACETS. Identify yourself during submission as being affiliated to McGill. |
| Cambridge University Press | 100% | Corresponding author |
Applies to 5 article types: Research Articles, Review Articles, Rapid Communication, Brief Reports, Case Reports. Opt-in after article is accepted. Check journal eligibility. See also |
| Company of Biologists | 100% | Corresponding author |
From January 1 2024 - December 31 2026 the following Journals have no APC charges for McGill corresponding authors:
Consult this Guide for authors for more information. |
| Elsevier Gold Journals | 20% | Corresponding author |
Authors will be presented with this option during the submission process. See these instructions for obtaining the discount. Read more about the agreement here. |
| Elsevier Hybrid Journals as of January 1 2024 | 100% | Corresponding author | Authors will be presented with this option during the submission process (like for Gold Journals above). See these instructions for obtaining the discount. Read more about the agreement here. List of Eligible Hybrid Titles *any titles that convert from Hybrid to Fully Gold OA within the term of the agreement (2024-2026) will remain eligible for the full APC waiver. |
| Karger | 100% | Corresponding author | Articles submitted after January 1, 2022. Kompass collection journals and Partner Publications are excluded. See How to submit to Karger (PDF, 5.2 MB) |
| IOP (Institute of Physics) | 100% | Corresponding author | Guide for authors.  IOP list of eligible journals (XLS, 37 KB) |
| MDPI | 10% | Affiliated author | List McGill as your affiliation during submission. Applies also to open book publishing with MDPI. |
| Oxford University Press Gold Journals | 10% | Corresponding author |
Be sure to use your McGill email during submission. |
| Oxford University Press Hybrid Journals | 100% | Corresponding author | Be sure to use your McGill email during submission. List of eligible hybrid journals Step by step instructions Effective from January 1, 2024-December 31, 2026 |
| Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) | Reduction in fee on immediate OA | Corresponding author | Publications charges (see authors from institutions with site-licenses) |
| Sage Choice Journals (Sage Choice journals) | 100% | Corresponding author |
Several exceptions. See also choosing a Creative Commons license. A select set of journals have page charges which are separate fees from APCs. See List of Sage Choice journals |
| Sage Open Access Journals | 40% | Corresponding author |
How to request a discount: SAGE Open Access portal guidelines (PDF, 6.1 MB) |
| Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) | 15% | Corresponding author | Applies to hybrid journals only. The discount is applied automatically upon accepted, articles identified via author affiliation. |
| Taylor & Francis | 25% | Corresponding author | Applies to Open Select journals. Select McGill as affiliation to obtain discount. |
| Wiley | 100% | Corresponding author |
Discount applies for hybird journals only, see: List of Eligible Wiley Journals (xlsx). See also instructions on Wiley's site. Must be eligible at point of acceptance, make sure to use McGill institutional email during submission. Articles must be accepted for publication before December 31, 2024. |
These discounts are subject to change at any time.
Contact us with any questions.
Your research data
Information on McGill's support for research data management, sharing, and archiving is on the Research Data Services pages
