The document outlines recent initiatives and discussions regarding public access to scientific research, particularly emphasizing efforts led by federal agencies such as the NIH and NSF, in collaboration with groups like AAU and APLU. A central theme is the advancement of open science, focusing on making research results more available, accessible, and usable. The distinction between open access and public access is discussed, as well as the scope of data sharing—whether it should extend beyond data supporting published results to include all research data. The conversation also explores repository options, weighing the roles of federal, institutional, disciplinary, and commercial repositories, while suggesting flexibility in repository selection.
Mechanistically, the document highlights the increasing importance of data management and sharing plans in research funding applications, which are now subject to peer review and may need to be publicly accessible and updateable. It acknowledges challenges, including situations where appropriate repositories do not exist and the need for data sharing exceptions, such as those required by consent agreements. Upcoming policy changes at NIH are noted, with a call for stakeholder feedback. Additional concerns addressed include the timing of data curation costs, often incurred after the award period, and the responsibilities of institutions in supporting faculty compliance with evolving data management requirements.
