In August 2021, OpenDOAR launched its free Plan S Repository self-assessment tool to the global repository community to aid repositories in building high standards and broadening their impact. 

What does it do? 

The tool allows repository managers to see how their repository fares against the six Plan S repository requirements offering clear explanations, implementable guidance and good practice tips along the way.  The tool serves to aid the development of improved repository functionality and practice. 

What are the Plan S requirements? 

Led by cOAlition S, an international consortium of research funding and performing organisations, Plan S is an initiative for open access publishing which aims to speed up the transition toward open access. A central enabler for open research is the ability to deposit research in repositories without embargo.  As such, cOAlition S put forward six technical requirements for repositories to work towards excellent standards to represent the research they hold in the best way possible: 

• The repository must be registered in OpenDOAR or in the process of being registered. 

• Use of persistent identifiers (PIDs) for the deposited versions of the publications (with versioning, for example in case of revisions), such as DOI (preferable), URN, or Handle. 
• High quality article level metadata in standard interoperable non-proprietary format, under a CC0 public domain dedication. This must include information on the DOI (or other PIDs) both of the original publication and the deposited version, on the version deposited (AAM/VoR), and on the Open Access status and the licence of the deposited version. Metadata must include complete and reliable information on funding provided by cOAlition S funders (including as a minimum the name of the funder and the grant number/identifier). 
• Machine readable information on the open access status and the license embedded in the article, in standard non-proprietary format. 
• Continuous availability (uptime at least 99.7%, not taking into account scheduled downtime for maintenance or upgrades). 
• Helpdesk: as a minimum an email address (functional mailbox) has to be provided; a response time of no more than one business day must be ensured. 

Source: Source: cOAlition S “Part III: Technical Guidance and Requirements”: https://www.coalition-s.org/technical-guidance_and_requirements/ 

How to use the tool 

Users will need to sign-up for an account which they can do for free. Once logged in, they can carry out as many assessments as they wish for their repository – or repositories should they be in charge of more than one.  The assessment asks a series of questions to calculate a score showing which of the Plan S requirements have been Met, Not Met or are In Progress.   

The results page provides users with clear explanations, helpful guidance and good practice tips for implementing or improving their repository’s functionality and practices.  Having their own account means that repository staff can revisit past assessments and amend as changes are made to keep track of and report on progress. 

For more information about the tool, check out our FAQs section or contact help@jisc.ac.uk