OSTP widens public access to federally funded research - FierceGovernmentIT

"The direct results of unclassified federally funded research--peer-reviewed publications and data--should be available to the public typically after a 1 year embargo period, says the Office of Science and Technology Policy. OSTP released Feb. 22 a memo (.pdf) directing agencies with annual extramural research and development budgets of more than $100 million to submit plans within the next 6 months for ensuring that the public can read, download and analyze in digital form without charge final manuscripts generally 12 months after publication in a professional journal. Individual agencies should use the 1 year period as a guideline but can tailor their plans as necessary, the memo says. Stakeholders may also petition for changing the embargo period for a particular scientific field. The length of the waiting period has already garnered subdued criticism, with the Electronic Frontier Foundation applauding the memo, but noting that recently introduced legislation called the Fair Access to Science & Technology Research (H.R. 708) would make the embargo period no longer than 6 months..."