Criteria 1: Accessibility
First, make sure that the journal is a full open access journal, i.e. that it allows immediate and free access to all its articles online. Publications in hybrid journals - i.e. subscription journals for which Open Access is only activated as an additional option for individual articles in return for payment - are not eligible for funding.
Publications in so-called "mirror journals" are also not eligible. "Mirror journals" have the same editorial board and a similar title as the associated subscription journal. Thus, they are merely another type of hybrid journal, even though they are listed in DOAJ.
To check whether a journal is a full open access journal, you can either consult the publisher’s website or check the Electronic Journals Library (EZB). The traffic-light system indicates the accessibility of each journal:
- A green light indicates that the journal is fully open access.
- A yellow, yellow-red or red light means that the journal offers either none or only some open access articles.
Generally journals with a green light are eligible for funding.
Criteria 2: Publishing costs
In addition, the amount of the Article Processing Charges (APCs) of the respective journal must be taken into account, as generally only APCs up to EUR 2,000 net are eligible for funding by the TUM's Open Access Publishing Fund.
Differing regulations for individual Schools
- TUM Campus Straubing: Articles with Article Processing Charges (APC) of up to 3,360 EUR net can be funded.
- TUM School of Engineering and Design: Articles with an APC of up to 2,000 EUR net can be funded through the Publishing Fund. If the APCs are above this amount, the remaining costs must be covered by the respective chair or professorship.
For each chair or professorship a maximum of 5,000 EUR net per year is available in the Publishing Fund.
- TUM School of Life Sciences: Articles with an APC of up to 2,500 EUR net can be funded through the Publishing Fund. If the APCs are above this amount, the remaining costs must be covered by the respective chair/professorship.
- TUM School of Natural Sciences: There is no fixed APC funding limit. Also articles in hybrid journals (journals in which not all articles are freely accessible) can be funded.
The School decides on funding on a case-by-case basis. Due to limited funds, partial support may be provided.
- TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology: There is no fixed APC funding limit. The School decides on funding on a case-by-case basis.