Can I still make my article open access if it’s already published?

Generally, Elsevier doesn't offer authors the option in hybrid journals to retrospectively make an article open access after publication.

However, we realize that sometimes there are exceptional circumstances and we want to assist authors where possible. In such instances, authors can make a subscription article, published in a hybrid journal, open access up until 31 January of the following year. For example, if the article is published in March 2023, the author can make it open access up until 31 January 2024.

To learn more, read ‘Retrospective open access’ in Elsevier’s pricing policy page.

Check whether your journal supports open access and what the Article Publishing Charge (APC) is by consulting the open access section in your journal's Guide for Authors — which you will find via the journal homepage or use our journal catalog to search alphabetically.

How to request open access for your published article

To request open access, find the email you (or the article’s corresponding author) received when your article was accepted, then use the link to the Rights and Access form. Complete the form, selecting open access when it gives you the option. If the form was previously submitted for your article, you will need to make the necessary changes and resubmit.

If you don't have access to this form, contact us using the Chat option at the bottom of this page and provide your article reference, DOI or full article title. The link to the Rights and Access form will then be re-sent to the corresponding author on request and open access ordered.

If you have older articles or have missed the deadline and still wish to share these articles, we have the self-archiving option which enables you to post your accepted manuscript.

If you would like more information on self-archiving option, please visit the open access page from our website.

Still have a question?

We can help! Contact us via the Chat option at the bottom of this page. Enter your details in the quick form and select 'Open Access' for contact reason before you 'Start chat'. (Thank you in advance for giving our representatives helpful information so they can respond swiftly to your query.)