Public Access to Federally Supported R&D Data
Project Scope
The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (ACRA; Public Law 111-358), calls for coordination of Federal science agency research and policies related to the dissemination and long-term stewardship of the results of unclassified research supported wholly or in part by funding from the Federal science agencies, including both digital data and peer-reviewed scholarly publications. Additionally, on 14 February 2013, “a bill to provide for Federal agencies to develop public access policies relating to research conducted by employees of that agency or from funds administered by that agency” (called the Fair Access to Science and Technology Research act, or FASTR) was simultaneously introduced as S. 350 and H.R. 708 for consideration by the 113th Congress.
On 22 February 2013, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies, directing them to “develop a plan to support increased public access to the results of research funded by the Federal Government. This includes any results published in peer-reviewed scholarly publications that are based on research that directly arises from Federal funds, as defined in relevant OMB circulars (e.g., A-21and A-11). It is preferred that agencies work together, where appropriate, to develop these plans.”
Further, “Each agency shall submit its draft plan to OSTP within six months of publication of this memorandum. OSTP, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), will review the draft agency plans and provide guidance to facilitate the development of final plans that are consistent with the objectives of this memorandum and, where possible, compatible with the plans of other Federal agencies subject to this memorandum. In devising its final plan, each agency should use a transparent process for soliciting views from stakeholders, including federally funded researchers, universities, libraries, publishers, users of federally funded research results, and civil society groups, and take such views into account.”
As part of this planning process, a group of cooperating agencies (see list below) has requested that the National Research Council (NRC) Division on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) organize two planning meetings. The agendas of these two meetings (one focusing on scientific data, and the other on scholarly publications) will primarily comprise time for stakeholder input, with brief introductory addresses by a select few experts and summarizing commentary by equally few rapporteurs.
► Powerpoints
– Why Public Access to Data Is So Important by Victoria Stodden
