Open access routes

You can publish open access in different ways. On this page you can read what each route entails. Know your research funder's requirements, if any, before choosing a route.

Gold open access

You publish directly in an open access journal on a publisher's platform. This may involve publication costs, the ‘Article Processing Charges’ (APCs). Before agreeing to the charges with the publisher, check whether your fund can pay these costs.

Diamond open access

Diamond is a subcategory of gold. Just like the gold route, you publish in an open access journal. But, without paying any charges (APCs or subscription fees). In this case, the publication costs are often borne by an institution or a fund. Read more about diamond open access here. 

Hybride open access

You publish in a journal in which some articles are available open access, and others only by paying a subscription fee. In this case, you pay a charge to the publisher to make the article available to non-subscribers.

Green open access

You publish open access via the Utrecht University Repository. This can be done in two ways. You can directly publish your author accepted manuscript (AAM). Or the published version will be open access available after six months. Read more about about the green route.