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Call to action: Oppose H.R. 3699, a bill to block public access to publicly funded researchJan 6, 2012A new bill, The Research Works Act (H.R.3699), designed to roll back the NIH Public Access Policy and block the development of similar policies at other federal agencies, has been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. Supporters of public access need to speak out against this proposed legislation. We strongly urge you to contact these offices to express your opposition TODAY, or as soon as possible.
ATA Responds to the White House RFIJan 25, 2012On January 12, 2012 The ATA submitted the following comments in response to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's (OSTP) Request for Public Information on public access to scholarly articles. All responses will be ultimately be made public on the OSTP website.
Innovation, Transforming Discovery, and Citizen Science to be Highlighted at Berlin 9 Open Access Conference -- Program Announced for November EventAug 1, 2011The program for the international Berlin 9 Open Access meeting has been announced today by the organizing coalition. Focusing on the impact of Open Access in research and scholarship, the event will explore how open, online access has the potential to transform the process of discovery and the translation of knowledge into benefits to society, as well as to enhance public engagement and create new opportunities for scholarship and business.
[UPDATE] House committee to hold hearing on public access to publicly funded researchJul 20, 2010[Witness list now available]. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Information Policy, the Census and National Archives announced it will hold a hearing on the issue of public access to federally funded research on Thursday, July 29. The hearing will provide an opportunity for the Committee to hear the perspectives of a broad range of stakeholders on the potential impact of opening up access to the results of the United States’ more than $60 billion annual investment in scientific research.
MAJOR RESEARCH INSTITUTION LEADERS SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO ENSURE PUBLIC ACCESS TO PUBLICLY FUNDED RESEARCHMay 3, 2010The provosts and presidents of 27 major private and public research institutions have voiced their support for the Federal Research Public Access Act in an “Open Letter to the Higher Education Community,” released Friday by the Harvard University Provost. The Act, first introduced in the Senate last year, was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 15. The letter signals expanded support for public access to publicly funded research among the largest research institutions in the U.S.
Congressman Presses for Broad Open-Access BillApr 22, 2010GenomeWeb Daily News, April 21, 2010
Congress takes another stride toward public access to researchApr 15, 2010Fueling the growing momentum toward openness, transparency, and accessibility to publicly funded information, the Federal Research Public Access Act of 2010 (FRPAA) has been introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and a bi-partisan host of co-sponsors. The proposed bill would build on the success of the first U.S. mandate for public access to the published results of publicly funded research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and require federal agencies with annual extramural research budgets of $100 million or more to provide the public with online access to research manuscripts stemming from funded research no later than six months after publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS BACK BILL FOR PUBLIC ACCESSNov 23, 2009The Presidents of six public universities in New England have issued a letter of support for the Federal Research Public Access Act (S.1373), demonstrating that commitment to public access to publicly funded research resides at the top-most level of research institution administration. Together, these six land-grant universities enroll over 100,000 students, confer ~17% of the bachelor’s and 20% of the doctoral degrees in New England, and invest more than $700 million annually on research with the support of federal grants.
Nobel Prize-winning scientists urge Congress to act to ensure free online access to federally funded research resultsNov 10, 2009“For America to obtain an optimal return on our investment in science, publicly funded research must be shared as broadly as possible,” is the message that forty one Nobel Prize-winning scientists in medicine, physics, and chemistry gave to Congress in an open letter delivered yesterday. The letter marks the fourth time in five years that leading scientists have called on Congress to ensure free, timely access to the results of federally funded research – this time asking leaders to support the Federal Research Public Access Act of 2009 (S.1373).
57 College Presidents Declare Support for Legislation to Ensure Public Access to Publicly Funded Research in the U.S.Sep 23, 2009The Presidents of 57 liberal arts colleges in the U.S., representing 22 states, have declared their support for the Federal Research Public Access Act (S. 1373) in an Open Letter released today. The letter is the first from higher education administrators to be issued in support of the 2009 bill, and further reinforcement that support for the Act exists at the highest levels of the higher education community. The presidents’ letter notes, “Adoption of the Federal Research Public Access Act will democratize access to research information funded by tax dollars. It will benefit of education, research, and the general public.”
Taxpayer Alliance applauds bill to broaden access to federal research resultsJun 25, 2009Federal Research Public Access Act introduced today
First U.S. Public Access Policy Made PermanentMar 12, 2009President Obama yesterday signed into law the 2009 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes a provision making the National Institutes’ of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy permanent.
Creator of Pubmed Central Biomedical Research Database Recognized for Outstanding Citizen ServiceJun 23, 2008Dr. David Lipman a finalist for prestigious 2008 Service to America Medal
Public Access Mandate Made LawDec 26, 2007
Mandate for Public Access to NIH-Funded Research Poised to Become LawOct 24, 2007"American businesses will benefit tremendously from improved access to NIH research," said William Kovacs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president for environment, technology and regulatory affairs. "The Chamber encourages the free and timely dissemination of scientific knowledge produced by the NIH as it will improve both the public and industry’s ability to become better informed on developments that impact them – and on opportunities for innovation." The Chamber is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector, and region.
House Backs Taxpayer-Funded Research AccessJul 20, 2007In what advocates hailed as a major advance for scientific communication, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved a measure directing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to provide free public online access to agency-funded research findings within 12 months of their publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Congressional Support Builds for Access to Publicly Funded ResearchJul 13, 2007Mandatory NIH Policy Headed to Full House and Senate Votes
Two U.S. Government Reports Call for Public Access to Agency-Funded ResearchMay 3, 2007Energy Department and Centers for Disease Control documents call for open public access to research
Students Rally for Access to Publicly Funded ResearchFeb 1, 2007Campuses declare “National Day of Action” in support of federal legislation
Major NIH Legislation Addresses Public AccessSep 27, 2006Energy & Commerce Chairman Barton, Representative Doyle Pledge Oversight
Consumer Groups Support Public Access ActJul 31, 2006Consumers Union, Consumer Project on Technology and others support bill requiring key federal funders to post research on the Internet
Americans Support Free Access to ResearchMay 31, 2006Poll Results Show Overwhelming Majority Believes Federally Funded Research Should be Publicly Available
Key Advisory Group Reaffirms that NIH Public Access Policy Should be 6 Months and MandatoryApr 13, 2006
Taxpayer Advocacy Group Lauds Call by NIH Advisory Panel for Mandatory Public Access to ResearchNov 22, 2005Majority of NIH Public Access Working Group members also support free availability of NIH-funded research papers within six months of publication
U.S. Senate Supports NIH Public Access PolicyJul 2, 2005The ATA hails the recent Congressional action that calls for the NIH to report the success of their public access policy. Early data from the NIH indicates a lack of success-only three percent of possible articles are being submitted to PubMed Central.
NIH Postings ResponseJun 16, 2005Read the NIH Director’s plans to make available metrics on its website that would indicate participation in the program, delivered in a response letter [PDF].
NIH Public Access Policy Letter, 2005May 12, 2005Soon after the NIH implemented its public access policy, the ATA sent Director Zerhouni a request [PDF] for monthly postings of metrics on its website that would indicate participation in the program.
Taxpayers Commend Precedent Set by NIH Public Access PolicyMay 2, 2005The ATA response to NIH going live with it’s online Manuscript Submission system (NIHMS). The system is the implementation of its public access policy.
Response to NIH's Final Enhanced Public Access PolicyFeb 3, 2005The ATA response to the release of the final NIH public access policy and response letter to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the NIH.
ATA Actions Response to NIH's Call for Public Comment on PlanNov 15, 2004The ATA response to NIH’s call for public comment on their public access plan
ATA Actions Letter to the Editor: Los Angeles TimesNov 9, 2004In response to an editorial in the Los Angeles Times supporting "open access" to publicly funded medical research, SPARC Director Rick Johnson responded on behalf of the Alliance with a letter to the editor.
Public Interest Leaders Applaud National Academy of Sciences For Endorsement of NIH “Open Access” ReformsSep 17, 2004Alliance welcomes the National Academy of Sciences endorsement of the NIH proposal
Taxpayers Support "Open Access" to NIH ResearchAug 24, 2004ATA's formation in mid-August [PDF]
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