Open access articles
Elsevier provides authors with open access options
Elsevier now offers an open access option in over 1600 established peer-reviewed journals. This helps authors to publish in respected high quality journals while also complying with new open access policies and mandates.
All articles published open access are peer-reviewed and upon acceptance will be immediately and permanently free for everyone to read and download. Permitted reuse is defined by the author's choice of open access user license.
What is it?
Authors have two choices when choosing to publish their research in 1500 established Elsevier journals:
| Open Access |
Subscription |
| Articles are freely available to both subscribers and the wider public with permitted reuse. |
Articles are made available to subscribers as well as developing countries and patient groups through our access programs. |
| An Open Access publication fee is payable by authors or their research funder. |
No Open Access publication fee |
The publication choice will have no effect on the peer review process or acceptance of the submitted article.
Publishing open access
How to publish open access with Elsevier's Open Access Article program
1. Select a quality journal with an open access option
Publishing open access is much like publishing in a subscription journal in that it is vital to select a quality peer reviewed journal.
Elsevier now offers the choice to publish open access in over 1,500 established peer-reviewed journals. For a full A-Z list of journals click here (PDF). Alternatively, look out for the open access options logo featured on the journal homepage to see if this option is available.
Specific details regarding publication costs and user license options can be found on the individual journal’s homepage and guide for authors.
2. Collect key information before submission
Once you are ready to submit your manuscript, discuss your publication options with your co-authors and collect key information such as:
- Funding body policies on publication of research output
- Employment information from all your co-authors as some, such as government employees who may have additional open access policies or requirements that they need to follow.
- Institutional policies on research output and self-archiving
Having this information ready will help speed up the publication process. Please note your publication choice will have no effect on the peer review process or acceptance of the submitted article.
3. After acceptance; supply your open access information
Be sure to check the list of established funding body agreements as you will need to supply any funding or open access relevant employment information.
To provide open access, a publication fee is needed to be met by the authors or their research funders for each article published open access.Specific details about open access publication fees can be found on the individual journal's homepage and guide for authors. Some funding bodies may reimburse authors for such fees.
During this stage, authors will also select a user license which will permit re-use by readers and users.
4. Final publication of your article
Upon publication, all articles published open access will be immediately and permanently free for everyone to read and download. Permitted reuse will be defined by your choice of user licenses.
Publication fee
Open Access Publication Fee
To provide open access, a publication fee needs to be met by the authors or their research funders for each article published open access.
Our open access publication fees range from $500-$5000USD. Visit the individual journal homepages for specific pricing information.
Funding Body Agreements
Elsevier has established agreements with funding bodies, including the NIH, Wellcome trust and UK Research Councils. Some funding bodies and institutions will also reimburse you for the open access publication charges. Read more
Open Access Pricing Policy
Elsevier does not charge subscribers for open access content and has a strict no double dipping policy. This policy ensures we only take into account content published under the subscription model when setting journal list prices. Read more about our open access pricing policy.
Permitted reuse
User Licenses
Upon publication, all articles published open access will be immediately and permanently free for everyone to read and download. Permitted reuse is defined by your choice of user license.
The choice is dependent on the journal in which you choose to publish. Please refer to the journal's homepage for specific details.
