White House Expands Access to Federally Funded Research

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The directive asks agencies to use as guidance a manuscript “embargo” period of one year when they submit their plans to OSTP during the next six months. But the directive notes that agencies may change the embargo period to match the needs of each scientific field. The directive recognizes the important role that publishers play in peer review and composition, but it suggests no mechanism for replacing subscription revenue lost in consequence of the directive. Finally, the directive notes that agencies need not maintain government archives, but rather, if they so choose, may provide searchable links to freely accessible archives maintained elsewhere. The agencies are directed to accomplish the public access goals within their existing budgets.

The APS supports the principle of making federally supported research available to the public and is in the process of evaluating the potential benefits and impacts of the OSTP directive. The APS will work with federal agencies to develop public access policies that best meet the needs of the science community and the American taxpayer.

OSTP Memorandum