Embargo in academic publishing is a period during which access to a mini dissertation, dissertation or thesis is restricted, mainly due to patent registration or waiting for journal article publication.
What happen when thesis or dissertation is embargoed?
- During this period, there is no full-text access to thesis or dissertation, only the metadata will be made publicly accessible.
- Permanent embargo – no full-text or metadata will be made available to the public. A letter of permission from the Vice-principal: Research and Postgraduate Studies should be attached under these circumstances.
How long is the embargo? when does it get released? how will students and supervisors know if the embargo is released? can they extend the embargo period? how to apply for the extension of the embargo period?
- The embargo period is dependent on the funders' mandate, "From 01 March 2015, authors of research papers generated from research either fully or partially funded by NRF, when submitting and publishing in academic journals, should deposit their final peer-reviewed manuscripts that have been accepted by the journals, to the administering Institution Repository with an embargo period of no more than 12 months." (NRF, 2015).
- The embargo period is normally 12-24 months and, if an extension is required, an email should be sent to upspace@up.ac.za requesting extension.
- The embargo will automatically be lifted after 24 months, or earlier as per request and agreement by the supervisor and the student.
ETD submission Form - a section on embargo what does it say and what student and supervisor must do?
- Do not provide any access to the work for a period of two years to allow us to complete negotiations regarding publication or patents. Note: A longer period will have to be negotiated with the Vice-principal Research and Postgraduate Studies. The embargo will automatically be lifted after the period has expired.
- The work should under NO CIRCUMSTANCES be made accessible. A letter of permission from the Vice-principal: Research and Postgraduate Studies is attached.
Mini-dissertation with permanent restriction according to Departmental policy.