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The research and development (R&D) project «Institutional Repository Model as an Alternative to Social Scientific and Technological Development of the Country» is presented. A group of researchers of the school of Library and Information Science of the University of the Republic (Escuela Universitaria de Bibliotecología y Ciencias Afines de la Universidad de la República-UDELAR-) are responsible for carrying out the project financed by the «Sectorial Commission of Scientific Research» (Comisión Sectorial de Investigación Cientifica) of such University. This research is innovative and lacks previous studies in our nation. The intention is to promote free access to the scientific knowledge generated in our country. The theoretical basis of the project is based on the philosophy of the Open Access movement (OA). The research is carried out in stages that respond to the proposed objectives combining quantitative and qualitative methods. It is sought to determine the patterns that characterize the model of scientific communication of Uruguayan scientist based on their publications. The data source used is the Curricula Vitae of all the active researchers of the Nation System of Researchers (Sistema National de Investigadores- SNI-) of the National Agency of Investigation and Innovation (Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación –ANII-). The catalogues of the university libraries of the University of the Republic are consulted to determine to what extent publications are registered and available. The publishing policies of the magazines in which the considered researchers publish are analyzed in order to estimate the viability of creating a repository at a national level. Interviews to qualified informers are realized to know policies towards the management of knowledge generated within the framework of public institutions. The perception of OA and the opportunity of promoting actions in this regard are collected. The analysis of the precedent elements will allow the formulating of guidelines to define a digital OA repository that is appropriate to the reality of the country, as a complimentary mechanism to the traditional scientific publication. In presence of the importance of this subject, it is intended to consolidate this line of investigation and strongly relate it to regional and international initiatives.