This page provides answers to questions received about the Sloan-Kettering Open Access Publication (SKOAP) Fund. For additional information or to submit a question, please contact Donna Gibson.
What is the SKOAP Fund?
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Open Access Publication (SKOAP) Fund is an initiative to support open access to scholarly publishing. SKOAP supports researchers and MSK staff who want to make their journal articles free to all readers and interested individuals immediately upon publication by paying reasonable publication and submission fees required by open access journals. SKOAP is part of the Compact for Open-Access Publishing Equity.
Why is this initiative needed?
Currently, scholarly journals are supported through a combination of page fees and subscriptions. If these journals are to convert to open access, they must be assured that there is available a steady stream of revenue from author fees. SKOAP, along with publication subsidies from granting agencies, can help provide that assurance.
Isn’t author self-archiving good enough?
Author self-archiving is becoming an important part of the scholarly communication process. Researchers can make their peer-reviewed, published work available in an institutional or discipline-specific repository, such as PMC (formerly PubMed Central) or Scientific Commons. Most author self-archiving initiatives, however, do not post the version of the research as published.
Are MSK authors being told where they can publish?
No. Authors are free to publish wherever they want. Their choice is only restricted if they wish to apply for SKOAP funds to support open access publication. If they wish to use SKOAP funds, then they must select a journal that complies with the program’s Requirements and Eligibility.
Who is eligible for funding?
MSK faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate and professional students, staff members, and students.
What is eligible for funding?
Scholarly articles that are published in open access journals. These titles must be listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals, be a member of the Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association or adhere to its Code of Conduct, provide unrestricted access to all peer-reviewed articles, have publicly available a standard article fee schedule, and have a policy to waive fees in the case of economic hardship.
Who determines whether a journal is eligible?
Authors must confirm when applying for funds that the journal complies with all SKOAP eligibility requirements. SEE Requirements and Eligibility.
Are “hybrid” open access journals eligible?
Hybrid open access journals either allow authors to purchase open access on an article-by-article basis or allow open access after a delay. Hybrid journals ARE NOT eligible for SKOAP funding. Only journals that do not charge readers or institutions for access to peer-reviewed content are eligible. (Journals may, however, have subscription options for non-peer-reviewed content such as letters to the editor, news stories, book reviews, etc.).
Can SKOAP be used to support the publication of formats other than journal articles such as open access conference presentations and monographs?
Not at this time. SKOAP funds are for journal articles only.
Are there limits on the amount that can be requested?
A single author may request up to $3,000 per article. Requests are evaluated and financial support provided if the author meets the criteria outlined. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of SKOAP funds. SEE Requirements and Eligibility for details.
What fees are eligible for reimbursement?
Publication charges can encompass some or all of the fees charged by a publisher for article processing services, such as submission fees, article publication fees proper, page charges, and illustration fees (both for color and black and white).
Who decides which applications are funded?
SKOAP funds are authorized on a first-come, first-served basis, assuming that the author acknowledges that all requirements have been met.
Do authors need to exhaust other funding sources that can be used to pay for submission fees before applying to the SKOAP Fund?
Yes. SKOAP is intended to be a funding source of last resort. Articles whose underlying research was funded by grants or gifts that allow funds to be used for article-processing fees (regardless of whether that particular grant budgeted for such fees) are not eligible for SKOAP funding.
Do funded authors also need to place their manuscript or article in Synapse?
No. At the present time, Synapse links to full-text MSK journal publications that the Library subscribes to. We encourage authors to verify if the bibliographic information to their article(s) is correct. When revisions or additions need to be made, contact Jeanine McSweeney, Synapse Product Manager and Associate Librarian, Scholarly Communications.
Synapse is a self-service web interface and database supported and maintained by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Library, providing access to an inventory of the published output of our researchers, clinicians and health care professionals. As the name implies, Synapse is the user’s point of “connection” to publications authored by Memorial Sloan-Kettering staff. You can search for specific author names or by journal title, keyword and other fields. You can also set up Synapse RSS Feeds. The interface allows users to submit, search, export, print, and retrieve relevant information about MSKCC published literature that can be used for research, creating bibliographies, completing core grant applications and updates, journal club sessions, and future publications and presentations.
Is this likely to be funded permanently?
All aspects of this program, including the amount of funding committed to the program, will be analyzed and reviewed on a regular basis.
How do I apply?
Access the Application Form to begin the process (MSK STAFF ONLY; campus access or via VPN).
How can I learn more about the Open Access Initiative?
To learn more about this initiative, visit the Copyright and Open Access MSK Library Guides. This is a great starting point. Specific questions can be directed to Mark Monakey, Associate Librarian, or just Ask Us.
