The National Research Foundation (NRF) recognises the importance of Open Access to science and research while at the same time recognising that Open Access will continue to evolve in response to societal needs, achieving overarching policy harmonisation and new innovative publishing business models. Since 01 March 2015, authors of research papers generated from research either fully or partially funded by NRF, when submitting and publishing in academic journals, should deposit their final peer-reviewed manuscripts that have been accepted by the journals, to the administering Institution Repository with an embargo period of no more than 12 months. Earlier Open Access may be provided should this be allowed by the publisher. If the paper is
published in an Open Access journal or the publisher allows the deposit of the published version in PDF format, such version should be deposited into the administering Institutional Repository and Open Access should be provided as soon as possible.
Data supporting the research must be deposited in an accredited open access repository. The Statement does not specify embargo periods for data but emphasizes timely sharing in line with open access principles.