Following stakeholder consultation, SSHRC will implement new parameters to the Aid to Scholarly Journals (ASJ) funding opportunity in 2018. The new parameters demonstrate SSHRC’s support for the federal government’s commitment to open science. They will include adopting an open access model (full or 12-month embargo period); allocating funding for innovation; and  providing an incentive to journals that make use of Canadian not-for-profit content and distribution platforms.

Key changes include:

• a requirement that journals be fully open access (OA) or have an embargo period of no greater than 12 months;
• a transition period of two years to comply with OA requirement;
• a higher per-article funding rate for journals that do not charge fees to publish OA ($1,050 versus $850);
• $5,000 per year for both journal innovation and costs associated with the use of Canadian content and distribution platforms Requirement *;
• new eligibility for journals of which at least 1/3 of the core editorial board is affiliated with a Canadian institution, and/or for journals that can demonstrate that their titles are owned by Canadian not-for-profit organizations; and
• a streamlined application form.

Important dates:

• Late June: detailed funding opportunity description posted on SSHRC website
• Mid-July: streamlined application form available
• August: webinar for applicants
• September 10: competition deadline
• January 2019: adjudication meetings
• March 2019: results announced