F1000 and the Science for Africa Foundation have announced a major expansion of Open Research Africa (ORA), removing funding restrictions for authors. Effective immediately, researchers based in Africa can submit articles to ORA regardless of their funding source, significantly broadening access to the platform. Previously, only authors supported by an ORA-partnered research funder were eligible to publish.
Launched in 2022, ORA facilitates the rapid dissemination of African-led research, supporting global knowledge sharing. The platform uses F1000’s open publishing model, which enables fast-tracked publication and transparent post-publication peer review, reducing editorial delays and peer review bias. All published content is freely available to readers worldwide.
The change addresses growing demand from African researchers seeking open-access publication options. In 2024, 60% of submissions to ORA did not meet previous eligibility requirements, preventing high-quality research from being shared. By removing the funding restriction, F1000 and the Science for Africa Foundation are expanding opportunities for African scholars to publish openly and maximize their research impact.
Articles without ORA-partnered funding may be subject to an open access publishing charge, but F1000’s waiver and discount scheme, available in over 40 African nations, provides financial support for authors. ORA has also introduced editorial-led reviewer selection, improving the publication process and enhancing author experience.
The platform’s expansion reflects a broader commitment to increasing access to trusted, transparent African research. F1000 emphasized that the previous restrictions had resulted in the rejection of numerous high-quality submissions, solely due to funding eligibility. By removing these limitations, the organization expects a significant increase in the volume and impact of African research published on ORA.
F1000 and the Science for Africa Foundation continue to invite additional partners who share their vision of a trusted, transparent, and inclusive publishing platform for African research.
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