REF 2029: Library support for REF Open Access requirements
16 Apr 2025
Support available for researchers to ensure your outputs meet all requirements to be eligible for submission to the next REF.
The full REF 2029 Open Access policy was published in December 2024. This policy will apply to journal articles and conference proceedings published from 1 January 2026.
The REF 2021 Open Access policy will continue to apply to outputs published before this date. There is no Open Access requirement in REF 2029 for any other output types, including ‘long form’ outputs such as monographs, book chapters, scholarly editions.
This policy represents minimal change from established processes for University of Manchester researchers.
Action for authors
Authors should continue to arrange ‘Green’ Open Access for all in-scope research outputs upon acceptance, i.e. deposit a copy of the output to Pure.
The Library supports researchers to do this easily and quickly by providing a mediated deposit service via the Open Access Gateway.
Taking the following action is the most effective way to ensure outputs meet Open Access requirements to be eligible for submission to the REF:
Open Access compliance using the Open Access Gateway
- The Open Access (OA) Gateway supports researchers to meet OA requirements for the next REF and the University's Publications Policy.
- When a paper is accepted for publication, authors can use the Open Access Gateway to submit the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) to the Library for deposit to Pure.
- The Library will ensure that the paper meets the OA requirements for the next REF by verifying the manuscript version, checking applicable journal and funder policies and arranging Green Open Access.
It is also possible to comply with REF Open Access requirements by publishing work ‘Gold’ Open Access, i.e. payment of an OA fee or use of a publisher Open Access agreement. However, authors are encouraged to use the Open Access Gateway to deposit all in-scope papers to ensure REF compliance regardless of availability of Gold OA options from publishers, which are subject to change.
Further information and support
The Library’s Office for Open Research can provide further information, support and guidance on REF Open Access requirements: