Open Access Publication Services

TU Braunschweig Open Access Publication Fund provides financial support for the publication of articles in OA journals, OA conference papers, articles / chapters in OA anthologies, and complete OA monographs. The resources for the fund are provided by the DFG and the TU Braunschweig. Applications can be submitted at any stage of the publication process.

Publication Fund Application Form

Funding requirements for articles in Open Access Journals:

• You are a researcher at TU Braunschweig and "Corresponding Author" of the submitted manuscript.
• Your article will be published in a Gold Open Access journal, i.e. all articles in this journal will be provided free-of-charge via the Internet immediately after publication. The majority of OA journals are listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
• The journal is peer-reviewed, i.e. it is verified on its quality by independent peer reviewers.
• The article processing fee (APC) is funded with a maximum of 2,000 EUR incl. VAT. If the APC should be higher, please contact us.

Are not eligible for funding:

• The fee-based "activation" of an article in a subscription-based journal (hybrid journal, "Open Choice" model). There are exceptions for publishers with whom it has been agreed that authors will not be charged for activation (such as Wiley and SpringerNature). Detailed information can be found under "Publisher discount and Memberships".
• Publications from third-party-funded projects, where the third-party funding provider covers the publication fees completely.
• Publications in mirror journals (further information in the menu item FAQ publication funds). Here you can find an overview of known mirror journals.

To submit your application, please use the application form.

Funding conditions for Open Access monographs, contributions to Open Access Volumes, conference Papers, etc:

•     Please contact openaccess(at)tu-braunschweig

  For information on the application process and billing, please see our FAQs.

In case of a grant, we ask you to indicate the financial support from the Publication Fund in your publication in the following way:

•  We acknowledge support by the Open Access Publication Funds of Technische Universität Braunschweig. (English publications)
• Diese Publikation wurde gefördert durch den Open Access-Publikationsfonds der Technischen Universität Braunschweig. (German publications)

List of funded publications

The University Library has arranged special conditions or discounts for open access publishing with various publishers. On this website you will find these publishers listed alphabetically with information on the conditions, the procedure and further links. Please note that the publisher discounts can only be claimed if you are a corresponding author.

The University Library will support you in finding a suitable OA journal or OA publisher for your monograph. Feel free to contact your responsible subject librarian or contact the Open Access team of the University Library directly. Helpful tools for research are also:

• Projekt B!SON (independent Recommendersystem for Open-Access-Journal)
• Open Access Finder provided by Open Access Network
• Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
• Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
• Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR)
• Publications in so-called mirror journals are not eligible. In most cases, the journal has a similar name to the associated subscription journal, but has a different ISSN. Since this is an offshoot of a hybrid journal, we do not fund publication in a mirror journal, even if it should be listed in DOAJ. More info in the menu item FAQ publication funds).
  Here you can find an overview of known mirror journals.

Notes on quality standards for open access books

In order to ensure Open Access for books in a reliable and sustainable quality, compliance with standards is necessary. The quality standards of the AG Universitätsverlage refer to books in direct Open Access (Gold OA, Diamond OA). The quality standards can be viewed at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7075761 (German Only). Criteria that the publisher or publication service cannot currently implement should be incorporated into its development goals.

For funding by the TU Braunschweig Open Access Publication Fund, the criteria listed below from this document are particularly relevant for a positive funding decision. We would like to present and explain these in detail below. If you are planning to publish an Open Access monograph, please contact us at openaccess(at)tu-braunschweig.de.

§ 1 Accessibility and visibility

(1) Original: Der Zugang zur digitalen Version der Veröffentlichung erfolgt unmittelbar mit Erscheinen frei und öffentlich, ohne finanzielle, rechtliche oder technische Barrieren. Kostenpflichtige Ausgaben wie zum Beispiel eine Druckausgabe erscheinen zeitgleich oder folgen der Open-Access-Version.

Explanation: Barriers are considered to be any measures that make it difficult to open and/or edit the original document, e.g. by means of password protection or comparable measures.
In addition, when concluding a contract, make sure that any print edition does not appear before the OA edition under any circumstances.

(2) Original: Die Veröffentlichung wird in allen Formaten und Ausgaben eindeutig als Open-Access-Publikation gekennzeichnet.

Explanation: When concluding the publishing agreement, look for an assurance from the publisher that the publication will be clearly marked as an OA publication in both the electronic and an optional print version. This is usually done by means of a clearly visible Creative Commons license.

(3) Original: Die Open-Access-Version der Veröffentlichung wird auf der Webseite des Verlags/Publikationsdienstes zu- gänglich gemacht, ggf. zusammen mit zusätzlich angebotenen kostenpflichtigen Versionen.

Explanation: Access to the open access version is provided directly on the publisher's website, e.g. via a clearly visible download option. Additional, paid-for versions, such as a print edition, are offered on an equal footing at most and are never provided in a prioritized manner.

(9) Original: Zugehörige Forschungsdaten und andere Materialien werden auf einem geeigneten Repositorium archiviert und in der Publikation über einen Persistent Identifier verlinkt. Die Veröffentlichung der Forschungsdaten sollte sich an den FAIR-Prinzipien orientieren und nach Möglichkeit Open Access erfolgen.

Explanation: The research data associated with the publication are archived on a suitable institutional or subject-specific research data repository and referenced in the publication via persistent identifiers, e.g. DOI. Publication of research data should ideally follow the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). The University Library will be happy to support and advise you in your search for a suitable repository.

§ 2 Rechte

(1) Original: Autor:innen und Herausgeber:innen räumen dem Verlag/dem Publikationsdienst einfache Nutzungsrechte ein und behalten damit das Recht, auch weiteren Parteien Nutzungsrechte einzuräumen und die Publikation oder Teile davon auch an anderer Stelle zu veröffentlichen.

Explanation: By granting non-exclusive rights of use to the publisher, the authors retain extensive rights to their own publication. Additional, simple (subsequent) rights of use can be granted to third parties. Multiple granting of simple usage rights supports the visibility and reach of your publication.

(2) Original: Die Autor:innen und Herausgeber:innen räumen der Allgemeinheit durch die Vergabe einer Open-Access- konformen Creative-Commons-Lizenz (CC BY, CC BY-SA) umfangreiche Möglichkeiten der Nutzung ein. Ande- re, einschränkendere Lizenzen, die nicht der Berliner Erklärung über den offenen Zugang zu wissenschaftli- chem Wissen entsprechen, sind zu vermeiden.

Explanation: By granting Creative Commons licenses, authors determine the conditions under which a work can be reused without having to explicitly ask the author. CC BY and CC BY-SA are the freest licenses in the sense of Open Access and free access to and re-use of scientific information. TU Braunschweig explicitly supports the use of these two licenses, but also promotes publications with deviating, more restrictive licenses. The granting of a Creative Commons license is obligatory for funding; the maximum funding rate is based on the selected license.

§ 6 Persistente Identifikatoren

(1) Original: Jede Publikation erhält einen Persistent Identifier, bevorzugt einen DOI. Andere gebräuchliche Identifier sind URN, EPIC, ARK oder Handle.

Explanation: Persistent identifiers such as DOI are to be used for unique and permanent provision and citability. Furthermore, the TU Braunschweig recommends the use of ORCID for authors and refers to the "Guidelines for the Standardized Use of the Name Technische Universität Braunschweig in Publications".

(2) Original: Haben Forschungsförderer die Open-Access-Publikation ermöglicht, so werden sie im Dokument und ggf. in den Metadaten genannt.

Explanation: If the publication is supported by external funds, the funding source is named in the metadata and the acknowledgements. In the case of funding from the Open Access Fund of the TU Braunschweig, this would be e.g. "This publication was funded by the Open Access Publication Fund of Technische Universität Braunschweig."

(5) Original: Beruhen Publikationen auf geförderter Forschung, werden möglichst umfassende Angaben dazu gemacht (Projekt, Projekttitel, Projektnummer, Förderkennzeichen etc.). Wo möglich, sollten hierfür standardisierte Ansetzungen (z.B. ROR oder Crossref Funder Registry) verwendet werden.

Explanation: In order that the publications can be assigned to the associated research projects, corresponding information on research sponsors and funded projects must be provided in the publication. If persistent identifiers exist, these must be used.

§ 8 Kalkulation

(1) Original: Werden Open-Access-Bücher durch eine Förderung der öffentlichen Hand ermöglicht, sind die Anteile der Open-Access-indizierten Kosten von denen der nicht förderfähigen Posten zu differenzieren.

Explanation: In order to assess the eligible portions of a publication, a detailed breakdown of the publication costs is always requested from the publisher. Cost portions that are incurred exclusively for a print edition are excluded from funding.

2) Original: Kostenaufstellungen sollten sich an allgemein verständlichen Herstellungsschritten und Servicebezeichnungen orientieren, um Vergleichbarkeit zwischen Angeboten zu ermöglichen.

Explanation: The information provided in (1) is clear and unambiguous and allows for comparable metrics when reviewing grant applications.

Self archiving allows the additional publishing of an article after the primary publication in a classical journal of a publishing house.
This can be useful if the article has limited access in the publisher's journal. If authors have transferred their exploitation rights for their articles to a publisher, they are no longer permitted to provide the articles freely via the Internet. The consent of the publishers is required.

The terms of the publishers permitting self archiving can be found in the SHERPA/RoMEO list. Most publications may be self archived after a waiting period of 12 months.

Changes in copyright law ( § 38(4) UrhG ) have permitted self archiving since 1st January 2014, without taking your publishing contract into account, under the following conditions:

•   the original publication was published one year ago
•  the publication is the result of a research project, at least half funded by public authorities (e.g. DFG, BMBF)
• the publication has been published in a periodical appearing at least twice a year (no conference proceedings)
• self archiving is not for commercial purposes

If you would like to use self archiving for your articles and research results, we are pleased to support you. The Digital Library is the official institutional repository of TU Braunschweig and offers all requirements for self archiving.

Please contact us:
digibib(at)tu-braunschweig.de
+49 (0) 531  391 5052

The University Library provides comprehensive advice on the assignment and use of Creative Commons licenses. In the spirit of Open Access, CC BY or CC BY-SA licenses are favored.

Not sure what Creative Commons licenses are?
Find out on the pages Creative Commons Community or contact us. We will be happy to arrange a meeting with you or your institute. A useful tool is the CC-License-Chooser, which recommends the right license with very few questions.

Please note that the University Library is not allowed to give legally binding advice.

Contact: University Library Open Access Team
openaccess(at)tu-braunschweig.de
+49 (0) 531 391 5067

General Questions

Do I have to wait until the article is accepted by the publisher before I can apply for the publication fund?
No. Applications can be submitted at any time, even if the article will not be published.

Can I submit an application if the article has already published?
Yes, but only in the same calendar year in which the invoice was issued. If the payment of the publication fees was made in the previous calendar year, unfortunately we can no longer refund the costs.

How long does it take to check my application?
You will receive a response within two working days via email.

Questions regarding Funding Requirements

Does the journal in which I want to publish have to be listed in DOAJ?
No, but in  DOAJ you can see all relevant information (article processing charge, type of review, links to the homepage etc.) on the selected OA journal. However, there are also eligible journals that are not listed in the DOAJ. As soon as your application has been received, we will check the eligibility requirements.

Does it have to be a CC-BY license?
No, other CC licenses are also permitted. For an open access publication without a CC license we have to check the terms of use.

Why are publications in hybrid journals not funded?
Publishing in hybrid journals is excluded from DFG supported funds. It is intended to prevent the so-called Double-Dipping of publishers. Only particular articles are free accessible in hybrid journals. Publishers earn money through the subscription of a journal e.g. paid by a library and additionally, via Article Processing Charges (APC) paid by the author or their institution.

How can I identify a hybrid journal?
If Open Access is one of several options, i.e. if the article could be published without Open Access, it is probably a hybrid journal.

What is a Mirror Journal (also Sister or Companion Journal)?
A mirror journal is an open-access version of an existing subscription journal with the same goals, scope, peer-review procedures and policies, and an editorial board consisting of at least 50% of the same members. In most cases, the journal has a similar name to the associated subscription journal, but has a different ISSN. Since this is the offshoot of a hybrid journal, we do not encourage publication in a mirror journal even if it should be listed in DOAJ.
Here is an overview of known mirror journals.

What happens if APCs exceed EUR 2,000?
We can provide you a letter that enables you to negotiate with the publisher. Costs exceeding 2,000 EUR must be paid by you or your institute in advance and you will get an imbursement of 2,000 EUR after publication.

Questions regarding Payment and Invoicing

Central invoice payment at MDPI Publishers
MDPI Publishers allows you to choose centralized invoicing during the submission of an article. The invoice will be sent directly to the University Library. This only applies to APCs that do not exceed the invoice amount of 1,700 EUR (2,000 incl. VAT).

How do I know if the VAT is already included?
On foreign invoices and on websites of publishers, VAT is usually not included in the final amount. In such cases, an additional 19% tax must be taken into account. Therefore, the net amount should not exceed 1,680 EUR.

What should the invoice address look like when paying directly? Does TU Braunschweig have to be listed first on the invoice?
TU Braunschweig needs to be listed first on the invoice and persons or institutes have to be named below TU Braunschweig (see example below). Different invoices are not accepted by the central invoice office.

TU Braunschweig
Name of institute/department
John Doe
Sample street no xx
381xx Braunschweig

What is the VAT ID of TU Braunschweig?
The VAT ID is: DE 152330858.

What do I have to pay attention to when I make a private advance payment?
The University Library will reimburse the costs only to the institute. We do not refund to private accounts. In this case please contact your institute.

The invoice has already been paid by the institute. How does the refund work?
Please use the "Umbuchungsanordnung zwischen zwei Einrichtungen" (provided in the "Infoportal"). The upper part needs to be filled in and signed by the institute (hints).  In addition, the University Library requires the "SAP Belegjournal" of the booking and a copy of the publisher's invoice. Please send the "Umbuchungsanordnung" via internal mail to "Universitätsbibliothek - Publikationsfonds". SAP Belegjournal and invoice can also be sent via e-mail to openaccess(at)tu-braunschweig.de.

I received a payment reminder from the publisher. What should I do?
Please let us know by sending an e-mail to openaccess(at)tu-braunschweig.de.

What happens if there are third party funds available?
The third-party funds have to be spent first. Nevertheless, the article may not exceed 2.000 EUR incl. VAT. Reimbursement of the costs is only possible via a "Umbuchungsanordnung zwischen zwei Einrichtungen" (provided in the "Infoportal").