This handy resource is designed for librarians and authors alike, serving to answer your questions and help you develop a comprehensive understanding of open access (OA), open science, and the OA publishing process.

Regular ACS Axial readers will know that ACS Publications is a long-term supporter of open science: a broad movement that aims to increase transparency and access to all stages of the research journey. Open access (OA) is perhaps the most familiar component of open science for most members of the global chemistry research community, providing readers with barrier-free access to a world of research.
Understanding the growth of OA
Thanks in no small part to the adoption of OA mandates by research funders and national governments the world over, OA is becoming more prevalent. However, different countries are at different stages in the journey towards OA, and each year more researchers and librarians need to familiarize themselves with the potentially complex landscape of OA publishing. We know that librarians and researchers often seek guidance on OA from publishers, and in that spirit we've prepared a new, free resource: Your Complete Guide to Open Access with ACS Publications.
Answering your questions about OA
This guide, which is completely free to download, contains a wealth of information on OA in a convenient format. It provides clear definitions for common OA terminology, discusses what OA means for researchers, and maps out the routes to OA publication supported by ACS. It's designed to be a handy resource for librarians and authors alike to answer many of your common questions about open access and the OA publishing process.
The guide includes:
- An overview of open science, and how OA fits in
- A deep dive into the key concepts of OA
- Different types of OA
- Licensing and embargo periods
- OA publishing options with ACS
- Building trust in chemistry
- An appendix of common OA terminology
An evolving resource
The OA landscape continues to change, and our guide will be updated to reflect the latest developments. You can download the latest version, updated May 2024, below.