About the Idea of Open Access
Definition of OA
Open Access (OA) is the concept of providing free, universal, and unrestricted online access to scientific and educational knowledge resources, such as publications, research results, and teaching materials. It is supported by the European Commission and international institutions, and constitutes an important element of contemporary scholarly communication.
Open Access enables the free use of content — including reading, downloading, copying, printing, distributing, indexing, and linking — while respecting copyright rules and proper citation practices. It is based on the principle that research results, especially those funded with public resources, should be accessible to everyone.
This model makes use of, among others:
- scientific repositories,
- open access journals,
- e-learning platforms and e-laboratories,
- academic blogs and expert websites.
Origins and context of OA
The Open Access movement, developed since the 1990s, aims to create a model of scholarly communication based on free access to knowledge, without financial or technical barriers. It serves as a response to the limitations resulting from the commercialization of research results, which are often funded with public resources.
OA and Open Science
Open Access is part of the broader phenomenon of Open Science, which also includes:
- open research data (Open Data),
- open educational resources (OER),
- free and open-source software,
- the idea of free culture.
The aim of these initiatives is to increase research transparency, improve access to knowledge, and enhance scientific collaboration on a global scale.
NCN website on Open Science
Goals of the concept
The main goal of Open Access is to improve scholarly communication by:
- enabling researchers to freely publish research results,
- ensuring unrestricted access to scientific output,
- making the circulation of knowledge independent of commercial intermediaries,
- increasing the efficiency of the use of funds allocated to science.
Benefits of OA
A. For authors:
- increased visibility and citation of publications,
- faster dissemination of research results,
- greater opportunities for international collaboration,
- easier access to the current state of research,
- transparency and reliability of research,
- archiving and long-term preservation of scientific results.
B. For users:
- free and fast access to scientific materials,
- improved quality of education,
- easier preparation of theses and dissertations,
- savings in time and costs.
C. For funding institutions:
- increased visibility of scientific output,
- promotion of institutions and countries internationally,
- better management and monitoring of research,
- more efficient use of public funds.
OA regulations and policies
The development of Open Access is supported by institutional, national, and EU regulations.
a) Institutional regulations (WMU)
At the Wroclaw Medical University, the following applies:
Openness Policy of the Polish Medical Platform, adopted by Resolution No. 1931 of the Senate of Wroclaw Medical University on September 25, 2018.
This document regulates the principles of collecting, sharing, and archiving scientific output, including publications, research data, and doctoral dissertations. It supports the development of Open Science and increases the visibility of research conducted at the university.
More information about the Openness Policy of the Polish Medical Platform
b) National and European Union regulations
c) Policy of the National Science Centre Poland (NCN)
An important element of the national Open Access system is the policy of NCN:
- “NCN Policy on Open Access to Publications” (Annex No. 1 to Ordinance No. 38/2020 of the Director of NCN, dated May 27, 2020) – defines rules for publishing results of publicly funded research, including peer-reviewed articles, conference materials, and research data. It specifies acceptable publishing routes in line with Plan S, and regulates licensing, copyright, and eligibility of publication costs.
Updates to the NCN policy:
- Letter regarding the relaxation of the provisions regarding the “National Science Centre’s Policy on Open Access to Publications” (11.10.2023)
- Letter regarding the extension of the relaxed rules of operation of the amended provisions regarding the OA Policy (30.09.2024)
- Ordinance No. 39/2025 of the NCN Director (26.06.2025) – Open access policy for publications resulting from projects, internships, scholarships, scientific activities, and research components. Applies to NCN calls announced from September 2025.
Letter of the NCN Director from 26.06.2025 – extending new rules to ongoing projects.
OA initiatives in Poland
Educational materials and OA resources
1. Introduction to Open Access and Open Science
2. Copyright and licensing
3. Open research data
4. Open Access policies and guidelines
