Diamond Publishing

APC-free open publishing / Diamond publishing

University of Galway Library supports APC-free open access publishing, often called diamond open access. In this model, scholarly work is freely available to readers, and authors do not pay article or book processing charges. In addition, the content is openly licensed to allow for distribution and reuse with appropriate attribution. This approach aligns with the University’s commitment to maximise access to publicly funded research and to support a more equitable publishing landscape.

What we mean by diamond publishing

Diamond publishing refers to journals, book presses and platforms where:

• All content is freely available to read online with an open licence
• Authors do not pay APCs or book processing charges
• Costs are covered through institutional, consortial or public funding, or through community support

The Library promotes diamond routes as a priority option where they meet disciplinary quality standards and funder requirements.

How the Library supports diamond open access

• Open Book Publishers
• Open Library of the Humanities

IReL supported infrastructure and initiatives

• Sponsoring Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics (SCOAP3)
• Directory of Open Journals (DOAJ)
• Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
• Open Access Publishing in European Networks (OAPEN)

National context

Diamond and other APC-free models are an important part of Ireland’s goal of achieving full open access to publicly funded research by 2030, as set out in the National Action Plan for Open Research and related initiatives such as PublishOA.ie (2022-2025 NORF project) and Diamond Capacity Hub Ireland (2025-2026 NORF project). By combining local Library services with shared IReL investment, University of Galway is helping to build a more sustainable and inclusive open publishing ecosystem at institutional, national and all-island levels.