Wellcome launches new Open Access Funding Block Grant to support researchers’ publication costs

29 January 2025

Wellcome has announced the launch of its new Open Access Funding Block Grant, designed to support researchers in making their research outputs openly accessible. The grant aims to remove barriers to open access publishing and ensure that research is freely available to everyone, thereby accelerating the impact of science worldwide.

The Open Access Funding Block Grant will cover costs associated with open access publication, including article processing charges (APCs), for researchers receiving Wellcome funding. This initiative seeks to support researchers at all stages of their careers, enabling them to meet the rising costs of publishing in open access journals without financial constraints.

Key Details:
• The block grant provides researchers with the resources they need to publish their findings in open access formats, allowing unrestricted access to their work across the globe.
• It is available to Wellcome-funded researchers, ensuring that the outcomes of their research reach a wider audience, fostering innovation and collaboration.
• The grant specifically covers article processing charges for research articles, reviews, and data sets published in compliant open access journals or platforms.

The block grant doesn’t cover:
• Article Processing Charges (APCs) for original research articles published in subscription journals.
• APCs for research articles published in journals which have Jisc-approved transformative status.
• Other charges associated with publication, for example, page and colour charges.
• Open access fees for book chapters and monographs.
• Staff costs associated with meeting the aims of Wellcome’s open access policy.

Wellcome’s commitment to open access publishing reflects its broader mission to advance knowledge and improve global health. By making research accessible to all, the initiative supports the sharing of insights and discoveries that can benefit society as a whole.

The Open Access Funding Block Grant is now available to eligible Wellcome-funded researchers. Further details on how to apply and the specific eligibility criteria can be found on Wellcome’s official website.