Contrary to traditional expectations, the largest research funding bodies across the United Kingdom support the prospects and future of open-access publishing.

Ellen Collins of the Research Information Network conducted a series of interviews with representatives of the UK’s research funding bodies.

Her conclusions, published in the online open-access journal BMJ Open, reports that large funding bodies are committed to open-access publishing, although smaller charities may be concerned by the effects of OA on their budgets. Read Collins’ report at BMJ Open here.

These interviews provide valuable insight into the decision-making processes of biomedical research funding bodies in the UK.

Funders expressed concerns about the cost of open-access publishing, but also stated their hopes that open-access journals will provide greater flexibility than traditional journals, allowing for data sharing and the publication of negative results. Alternatives to traditional publishing models, such as online-only journals and altmetrics, are described as “useful” and “innovative.”

The ideal ethos described by open-access advocates is in line with ecancer’s own values. Our open-access journal, ecancermedicalscience, is funded by charities; it is free to read and does not charge author fees.