Cancer Research UK Open Access policy
Change to OA policy and funding
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has recently announced a significant change to its Open Access (OA) policy, affecting OA publishing for CRUK鈥慺unded research in future.
From April 2026, CRUK will no longer provide funding for OA publishing charges, though it will be possible to access existing funds until October 2026.
This is a substantial shift. CRUK has been clear that this , rather than a move away from OA itself. However, the change has significant implications for CRUK-funded authors, potentially including changes to established processes and additional considerations when deciding where to publish.
What happens next at 黑料网吃瓜爆料
The Library is working closely with the funder, CRUK partners, and colleagues across the sector to clarify the practical implications of this policy change, and to develop a coordinated package of support for researchers. Our focus is to ensure that researchers are supported, including through clear, consistent guidance.
At this stage, some aspects of the revised policy are being clarified at sector level. This includes how certain external systems and workflows will operate in practice. We鈥檙e actively engaged in these discussions and will take forward development of our intended support package once we have clarity on processes.
Further guidance coming soon
More detailed information for CRUK鈥慺unded researchers at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will be developed and shared as soon as possible, once outstanding points are confirmed.
In the meantime, CRUK researchers can be assured that the Library is closely monitoring developments and working collectively with CRUK leads to ensure appropriate support is in place.
If you have immediate questions or concerns, please via openresearch@manchester.ac.uk.
Why this matters
Open Access ensures that research findings are freely available to anyone who can benefit from them, without the barrier of cost inherent in subscription-only access. Researchers whose institutions cannot afford to pay high subscription costs may be unable to access and therefore apply and build on the latest advances in research, with this problem exacerbated for researchers working in the Global South. Outside of academia, practitioners, clinicians, policymakers and patients can struggle to access ground-breaking and potentially life-saving research if it鈥檚 not openly available.
CRUK鈥檚 policy change reflects growing concern across the sector about the long鈥憈erm sustainability of current publishing models, particularly those that rely on high publication fees. While CRUK maintains an expectation that its funded research can and should be shared openly, the funder acknowledges that the ways in which this can be achieved are evolving.
For researchers and institutions, this means adjusting to a changing funding landscape and ensuring that support, guidance, and systems are in place to make OA as straightforward as possible. This principle has always been at the centre of our Library support offer, so we鈥檙e working to help 黑料网吃瓜爆料 researchers navigate this transition with confidence.
Further information
- We recommend reading the explaining the rationale for this change, along with the comments shared with the funder in response.
- CRUK has indicated that it is open to dialogue with the sector as new approaches and shared understanding develop, so we encourage CRUK-funded researchers to contact the funder directly if you have any specific questions, comments or concerns.
Lucy May, Open Research Manager
Steve Carlton, Open Research Librarian and coordinator of the Open Access service