Deposit Mandate


The University of Luxembourg's Deposit Mandate

July 2026. Luxembourg Learning Centre. Contact: orbilu@uni.lu

ORBilu is University of Luxembourg’s (hereafter UniLu) institutional open repository and bibliography (hereafter ‘the repository’/ORBilu). The mandate includes mandatory and recommended deposits for scientific research output [1],  to comply with current academic objectives and national legal deposit law [2].

Mandatory deposits

The University of Luxembourg requires all University members to:

  1. Deposit full-text electronic copies of all peer-reviewed journal articles and papers from published conference proceedings (Version of Record where permitted, otherwise Author Accepted Manuscript) in the University's repository immediately upon acceptance for publication (no later than 1 month post acceptance). This requirement applies to any articles and/or papers published since 1 January 2018.
  2. Deposit a bibliographic metadata record of all their scientific production published since 1 January 2018 in the University's repository (attaching full text is not required).
  3. Deposit the final corrected full text PDF version of the doctoral thesis, after the PhD defence, filling in relevant metadata fields.

Deposits are monitored and used for reporting. This mandate applies only to those publications produced during employment or doctoral studies at the University of Luxembourg. (Ex: If an author started on 1 Jan 2021, there is a requirement to deposit everything produced from 1 Jan 2021 onwards.)

Recommended deposits

In addition, we encourage regular deposits of additional research output (peer-reviewed and other scientific output, e.g. reports, presentations, technical works, metadata for datasets, media work and public outreach items such as lay-audience publications, stakeholder events, talks, etc.), following the ‘as open as possible, as closed as necessary’ approach.

Responsibilities

  • Deposit all your publications and research output that have scientific interest and value. Retain copyright ownership of published papers wherever possible [3].
  • One deposit per publication is enough for UniLu co‑authored work; you decide who deposits it.
  • Permit full open access to full-text copies via the repository as soon as publisher’s conditions allow and in line with funders’ requirements.
  • Ensure the quality of the metadata provided during the deposit process.
  • Select the correct access level (open access, embargoed open access, or restricted access to the UniLu community, in addition to a copy‑request option for externals).
  • Complete outstanding deposits on ORBilu before you leave UniLu. Note that authors may allow UniLu to process references on their behalf to ensure completeness of the archive.

The mandate expresses UniLu’s commitment to supporting Open Access and FAIR, while respecting copyright laws and publishers’ agreements. It also affirms that authors retain the freedom to choose the publication venue that best suits their needs. Support and guidance are provided by the Luxembourg Learning Centre. The repository increases the visibility and recognition of UniLu researchers and their work, while ensuring long-term preservation and supporting societal and policy impact.

[1] University of Luxembourg CoARA Action Plan, 24 Jan 2024, Accessible at: https://zenodo.org/records/10560904
[2] Règlement grand-ducal du 21 décembre 2017 modifiant le règlement grand-ducal du 6 novembre 2009 relatif au dépôt légal
[3] ORBilu Legal Information, Accessible at: https://orbilu.uni.lu/page/legal-information

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the UL Deposit Mandate

Why does the University have a deposit mandate?

The University of Luxembourg requires researchers to deposit their publications in ORBilu in order to:

  • preserve and showcase the University's research output;
  • increase the visibility, discoverability and impact of research conducted at the University;
  • facilitate compliance with Open Science and funder requirements;
  • provide a reliable and comprehensive source of publication data for institutional reporting and assessment purposes.

By maintaining a complete record of the University's scholarly production, ORBilu helps strengthen both the reputation of the University and the visibility of its researchers.

What must be deposited?

University members are required to:

  • deposit the full text of all peer-reviewed journal articles and papers published in conference proceedings;
  • deposit the bibliographic references of all their scientific publications.
  • deposit the final corrected version of the doctoral thesis in ORBilu, making it available in Open Access; where necessary, a previously approved embargo may be applied.

This requirement applies to publications produced while employed by the University of Luxembourg and published since 1 January 2009. If a researcher joined the University after that date, the obligation applies only to publications produced during their employment at the University.

When should I deposit my publication?

The full text should be deposited in ORBilu immediately upon acceptance for publication and no later than one month after acceptance.

Early deposit ensures that publication records are complete, facilitates compliance with funder requirements and allows the appropriate access conditions to be set as soon as publisher policies permit.

Do I have to make my full text Open Access?

No.

The UL Deposit Mandate requires the deposit of the full text, but it does not require immediate Open Access. Authors remain responsible for selecting the appropriate access level according to copyright agreements and publisher policies:

  • Open Access;
  • Open Access after an embargo period;
  • Restricted Access.

The University nevertheless encourages authors to make their work openly accessible whenever possible.

Can I still publish in the journal or with the publisher of my choice?

Yes.

The Deposit Mandate does not restrict academic freedom or choice of publisher in any way. Researchers remain free to publish wherever they consider most appropriate for their work.

The mandate concerns the deposit of publications in ORBilu, not the venue in which they are published. [orbilu.uni.lu]

What about books, book chapters, reports, working papers and other research outputs?

The University strongly encourages researchers to deposit all scholarly outputs, regardless of publication date, including:

  • books;
  • book chapters;
  • reports;
  • working papers;
  • conference presentations;
  • other research outputs.

Although these materials are not all covered by the mandatory deposit requirement, their inclusion contributes to a more complete representation of the University's research activities.

Why is depositing in ORBilu important for evaluations and promotions?

Since 1 January 2014, only publications recorded in ORBilu and deposited according to the University's rules are considered for:

  • the University's annual activity reports;
  • performance contract reporting;
  • internal evaluation procedures, including promotions, appointments and certain funding applications.

Researchers are therefore strongly encouraged to ensure that their ORBilu records remain complete and up to date.

Does ORBilu evaluate researchers?

No.

ORBilu is a repository and research information system. Its purpose is to collect, preserve and disseminate publication information and related data.

ORBilu does not define evaluation criteria, rank researchers or compare disciplines. It provides publication data and usage statistics that may support institutional reporting and visibility. 

Need help?

If you have questions about the Deposit Mandate, copyright, publisher policies, Open Access or depositing your publications in ORBilu, please contact: orbilu@uni.lu

 

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