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G20 Open Access Policies: An Opportunity for Harmonisation

The G20, representing nearly 90 percent of global research spending, is uniquely positioned to drive reforms in the research publishing system through harmonised Open Access policies. Open Access policies, which require free, immediate access to research, can transform the way knowledge is shared globally. However, the current lack of consistency in policy mandates among G20 nations presents both a challenge and an opportunity for harmonisation. In this blog, we highlight findings from our recent policy paper and explore Open Access policy positions on article access and financing mechanisms for G20 members. We also examine how science diplomacy can be used to improve Open Access policies to create a more equitable global research environment.

The power of the G20 in shaping research publishing

G20 members account for ~90 percent of global research spending, researcher population, and publication output. This outsized influence means they are well-positioned to lead the world in reforming the research publishing system. The G20’s past engagement with Open Science—such as the endorsement of Open Science at the 2016 Hangzhou, China Summit and the 2021 Rome, Italy Summit—signals that this issue is of growing importance and is on its radar. The 2023 New Delhi Summit, which held the first Chief Science Advisers Roundtable (CSAR), further emphasised the need for immediate and universal access to publicly funded research.

Open Access policies, enforced by funders, institutions, or governments, can radically increase public access to scientific knowledge. By adopting a unified approach to Open Access policies, the G20 can send strong, clear signals to the global research market, facilitating easier access to research and fostering innovation. Moreover, the lack of coherence across member states offers a chance for the G20 to harmonise policies and drive forward systemic reform.
Current landscape of G20 Open Access policies

The G20 nations vary significantly in how they implement Open Access policies (Table 1 summarises the policy positions). In 2021, 15 of the 19 G20 member states had national-level Open Access policies, but the degree of enforcement and policy detail varied greatly. For example, some countries, like Germany and Italy, offer more detailed, non-mandated guidelines, while others like China and Saudi Arabia have less transparent policy documents.

Timeliness of access to publications also differs: 11 G20 countries report policies on publication timelines, with some (29 percent) requiring immediate publications access, while others allow a 6- or 12-month time frame for publication. Countries such as Japan, the EU, and Canada are revising their policies to require immediate access, signalling momentum toward more uniform Open Access standards. However, inconsistencies still exist, particularly in how publication costs are handled, with only 19 percent of nations reimbursing publications costs.

Table 1: Open Access policy positions for G20 members

Country

Policy*

Article Access

Open Access Funding

Immediate

6 months

12 months

Not reported

Eligible expense for reimbursement

Conditional support

Not reported

African Union**

No formal national policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Argentina

Open Access institutional digital repositories – Federal Law 26.899/2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

Australian Research Council Open Access Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil

No formal national policy found

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada

Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China

Law of the People’s Republic of China on Progress of Science and Technology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

European Union**

Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France

Second French Plan for Open Science

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany

Open Access in Germany – Joint Guidelines of the Federal Government and the Länder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India

Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indonesia

No formal national policy found

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy

Position statement on Open Access to research outputs 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Japan

Japan Science and Technology Agency Policy on Open Access to Research Publications and Research Data Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Korea

No formal national policy found

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico

General guidelines for the national repository and institutional repositories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia

No formal national policy found

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Open Access to government-funded research infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Policy document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Africa

No formal national policy found

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Türkiye***

TUBITAK (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye) Open Science Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Kingdom

UK Research Institute Open Access Policy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

Memorandum for Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total (%)

 

6 (29%)

4 (19%)

5 (24%)

3 (14%)

4 (19%)

4 (19%)

7 (33%)

*The inclusion criteria were policies at the national level. This did not include state-level or sector-specific open access policy documents.

**Although not countries, the supranational Open Access policies for the African Union and European Union were included as they are a part of the G20 intergovernmental forum.

***Timeframe varies by research field, where articles are expected to be published as soon as it is accepted for publication, but if this is not possible, no later than six months after publication for life sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics and no later than 12 months after publication for social sciences and humanities.

While some G20 members are making strides towards improved policies, many countries remain behind. For example, the US, EU, and China lead in gross expenditure on research and development, but their Open Access policies are not always aligned. This lack of policy cohesion across key G20 nations hinders global reform efforts, but it also provides an opportunity to bring these policies into alignment through coordinated action.

Furthermore, six G20 members lack national Open Access policies, although they are leaders in other aspects of pushing the Open Access movement forward. Countries like South Africa, despite not having a national Open Access policy, demonstrate leadership through initiatives like the Africa Open Science Platform.

Pathways for the G20 to harmonise Open Access policies

To address the current inconsistencies in Open Access policies, the G20 should prioritise harmonisation through its diplomatic and policy networks. Science diplomacy offers a mechanism to facilitate cooperation on this front. Using our theory of change as a blueprint we urge research reform stakeholders and G20 members to:

  • Reframe debates and build evidence: Collect and analyse evidence on the benefits and challenges of Open Access policies, the current research publishing landscape, and the political economy of reform. Develop strategies to position Open Access policy reform as a global issue.
  • Build networks and momentum: Leverage networks like UNESCO to align national Open Access policies and facilitate dialogue among countries with and without policies to build momentum and shared learning. Identify and train Open Access champions. Engage relevant G20 groups like T20, S20, CSAR, and RIWG.
  • Spur political interest: Capitalise on opportunities to place research publishing reform on G20 agendas, hold side meetings to build coalitions to agree on influencing strategies and communicate the benefits of research publishing reform.
  • Promote international harmonisation: Develop a consensus statement on principles for Open Access policies including governance, infrastructure and finance and establish a working group to guide Open Access policy harmonisation.
  • Secure national alignment: Align national policies to G20 commitments and monitor compliance. Consider budget support for country-level efforts from research institutes, academic institutions, and civil society organisations to implement reforms to Open Access policies and practices.

Conclusion

The G20 has the potential to lead on research publishing reform by harmonising Open Access policies. Aligning these policies will not only increase access to research but also drive innovation and equity on a global scale. By leveraging existing networks, fostering collaboration, and prioritising Open Access in their agenda, the G20 can create a lasting impact on the global research system.

Disclaimer

CGD blog posts reflect the views of the authors, drawing on prior research and experience in their areas of expertise. CGD is a nonpartisan, independent organization and does not take institutional positions.