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Open Access Publishing Agreements

The Library supports HKUST authors to publish their work open access through various types of agreements with publishers. Some of them are called Transformative Agreements when they aim to shift the subscription cost gradually from access to content to open access publishing.

You can find out more about open access (OA) and article processing charges (APC) at the Library’s guide on Author Tips as well as articles in Research Bridge.

For enquiries, please contact the Research Support team or talk with your subject librarians.

Currently, the Library has implemented the following agreements which support OA publishing at no cost to corresponding authors affiliated to HKUST.


American Institute of Mathematical Sciences “Open Subscription” Agreement

The American Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is an international organization that promotes the advancement and education of mathematical and applied sciences through publications and conferences.

Applicable Journals:

Period: 2023

APC-free quota: Unlimited

Key points to note:

  • When submitting your manuscript:
    • Ensure that you are the corresponding author
    • List HKUST as your affiliation
    • Use your HKUST email account
  • When replying to the galley proof message sent from the AIMS Production Editor or Production Specialist, notify AIMS that you want your article to be published open access.

Cambridge University Press “Read and Publish” Agreement

Cambridge University Press (CUP) has published over 400 peer-reviewed journals, covering subjects across the humanities, social sciences, science, technology, and medicine.

Applicable Journals:

Period: 2021 – 2023

APC-free quota: Unlimited

Guides and useful resources:


Company of Biologists “Read & Publish” Agreement

The Company of Biologists is a not-for-profit publishing organization dedicated to supporting and inspiring the biological and biomedical community worldwide.

Applicable Journals:

Article types: Specific article types such as Reviews, Commentaries, Correspondence, At a Glance, or Hypothesis are excluded from this agreement.

Period: 2023 – 2025

APC-free quota: Unlimited

Guides and useful resources:


Microbiology Society “Publish and Read” Agreement

The Microbiology Society is one of the largest microbiology societies in Europe dedicated to developing microbiological expertise.

Applicable Journals:

Period: 2023 – 2025

APC-free quota: Unlimited

Guides and useful resources:


Royal Society “Read & Publish” Agreement

The Royal Society is the UK’s national science academy and a Fellowship of many of the world’s most eminent scientists.

Applicable Journals:

Period: 2023

APC-free quota: Unlimited

Guides and useful resources:


SCOAP3

SCOAP3 is a partnership that converts key journals in the field of high-energy physics to open access at no cost to authors. HKUST Library, as a member of JULAC Consortium, is covered by the partnership.

When HKUST authors publish at SCOAP3 journals, the articles will be automatically open access. Authors can retain the copyright of the article. No action is required at the authors’ side.

Applicable Journals: Click here for the journal list.

Period: 2014 – Current

APC-free quota: Unlimited

Guides and useful resources:

  • Use the HKUST affiliation, address, and email for manuscript submission
  • Submission process is detailed in each journal’s “Author guidelines” section on the SCOAP3 journals page
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last modified 02 June 2023