Cancer Research UK to stop funding open access publishing
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has announced it will cease funding open access (OA) publishing costs, arguing that the current model is failing to deliver a fair and efficient system for disseminating research.
The world’s largest independent cancer research charity said the decision will save £5.2 million over the next three years and to redirect those funds into frontline cancer research. While reaffirming its support for open access in principle, CRUK described the existing publishing landscape as economically unsustainable and misaligned with the needs of researchers.
In a blog post, Director of Research Operations and Communications Dan Burkwood wrote: “For a long time, the predominant publishing model has not aligned with what scientists want and need,” pointing to longstanding concerns around cost, access, and inefficiency.
CRUK has been an active participant in the shift towards open access, supporting initiatives such as Plan S and funding article processing charges (APCs) through block grants and institutional funding. However, it argues that much of the growth in OA has occurred within hybrid journals – resulting in what it sees as “double payment” by the research community.
The article also raised concerns about rising APCs, the persistence of paywalls, and the continued dominance and profitability of major publishers: “We want to see the academic publishing industry change in a way that benefits science, not just profits.”
Under the new policy, CRUK will no longer fund publishing costs through block grants, institutional core funding, or grant underspend. Instead, researchers will be expected to pursue alternative routes, including green open access, where manuscripts are made freely available after an embargo period.
Alongside the funding change, CRUK reiterated its commitment to reforming research assessment. “For our part, Cancer Research UK are working to widen the way we evaluate research in order to mitigate the heavy focus on publication outputs. It’s clear to us that a broader view of an applicant’s career is vital to gauge potential success.
“By signing up to DORA (San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment), we encourage our reviewers to assess the quality and impact of research through means other than just journal impact factor. Additionally, we invite applicants to submit a narrative CV, allowing a more holistic view of their track record, research outputs and career progression.”
CRUK said it hopes the decision will prompt publishers, institutions and funders to work towards a more sustainable and equitable model that supports faster, fairer access to research.