Statement on Open Access to Research Publications from the National Research Foundation (NRF)‑Funded Research

Abstract

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.

Overview

Country	South Africa
Start date	2015
Annual Budget	n/a
Responsible organisation(s)	Funding institution
Target group(s)	Established researchers|Higher education institutes|Students|Junior researchers|Private R&D|Public research institutes|Students
Policy instrument type	Policy statement/guidance

Background

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.

Objective(s)

to create a balanced framework that promotes the open dissemination of publicly funded research while respecting the interests of all stakeholders involved—researchers, institutions, and publishers.

Public access URL

https://www.nrf.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/NRF-Open-Access-Statement.pdf

All tags

• Higher education institutes
• Clear rules for temporary restrictions
• Incentives & Rewards
• South Africa
• 2015
• Funding institution
• Strategies, agendas and plans
• Established researchers
• Private R&D
• Students
• Junior researchers
• Public research institutes

This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.

This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.

© OECD 2025

   Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. By using this work, you accept to be bound by the terms of this licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Attribution – you must cite the work.

Translations – you must cite the original work, identify changes to the original and add the following text: In the event of any discrepancy between the original work and the translation, only the text of original work should be considered valid.

Adaptations – you must cite the original work and add the following text: This is an adaptation of an original work by the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this adaptation should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its Member countries.

Third-party material – the licence does not apply to third-party material in the work. If using such material, you are responsible for obtaining permission from the third party and for any claims of infringement.

You must not use the OECD logo, visual identity or cover image without express permission or suggest the OECD endorses your use of the work.

Any dispute arising under this licence shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitration Rules 2012. The seat of arbitration shall be Paris (France). The number of arbitrators shall be one.