NSF Public Access Plan 2.0

"This U.S. National Science Foundation Public Access Plan 2.0 has been prepared in response to the memorandum dated August 25, 2022, from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP, titled Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research, and signed by Alondra Nelson (referred to in this document simply as the 2022 OSTP memo).

This updated public access plan recognizes the trend towards openness inherent in today’s scientific enterprise; the complex ecosystem of researchers, organizations, publishers and funders that comprise that enterprise; and the rapid pace of technological change continually altering the landscape of data sharing and publication. Public access to federally funded research and data is a pillar on which American values of scientific openness, academic freedom, scientific integrity, equity in science and fairness rest. Limiting access to scientific discovery limits the ability of all Americans to benefit from the returns on America’s research and development investments. NSF is therefore committed to working with communities to make our shared federal scientific ecosystem stronger and more equitable for all.

The NSF public access plan recognizes that open and equitable communication of research results and data is inextricably linked to NSF’s mission of promoting scientific progress. As described in the agency’s current strategic plan, NSF is dedicated to funding research, developing STEM talent, fostering innovation and cultivating a science and engineering community based on shared values and strategic cooperation. This plan represents activities supporting these aims.

A primary consideration during the development of NSF’s plan has been the potential equity impacts of public access implementation. NSF’s goal is to improve equity throughout the research life cycle, making data and opportunities available to a broader range of researchers, including those from marginalized communities and under-resourced institutions of higher education in the U.S. NSF is considering potential impacts and unintended consequences and challenges to equity that the plan and its implementation may produce...."