The School of Medicine Library (SOML) Open Article Fund is a pilot program that provides limited funding to cover the cost of article publication charges (APCs). These APCs are fees that authors typically pay to make their articles immediately available for others to read.
Support for Open Access
SOML aims to continue supporting the mission of University Libraries which has been an institutional leader in open access with the implementation of Digital Scholarship@UNLV in 2009. Their support of UNLV researchers through open access opportunities is a model for this pilot program to provide funding for the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine in achieving the school's goals of disseminating timely and important medical/health sciences scholarship.
Why does Open Access Publishing Matter?
Sharing research through open access provides benefits for authors (greater reach and use of their works), for UNLV (showcasing the research scholarship to potential students and faculty), and to the public, law and policy makers, non-profit organizations, health care providers, patients, and their caregivers/families by ensuring that research that could impact their decisions is readily available to them.
The School of Medicine Library Open Article Fund is funded by the School of Medicine Library state-funded collections budget. We have diverted a portion of the collection ($20,000) to support the research and scholarship mission of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine.
Because funds are provided from the School of Medicine Library’s state-funded collections budget, interested applicants will need to request funds from September 1st through May 1st (depending on funding availability). Applications will not be processed after May 1st to keep in line with processing deadlines of UNLV Libraries and the university.
If funds run out before May 1st the open access fund will re-open in the next fiscal year at a time determined by the School of Medicine Library.