Policy & Advocacy
SPARC advocates for policies at the local, national, and international level that promote openness in research and education. Listed below are SPARC's active policy priorities. Click here to see previous policies SPARC has advocated for.
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DOT RFI: Input on Development of Public Access Plan
Open Access · Open DataSPARC submitted comments to the Department of Transportation's request for input on the development of its public access plan. The draft plan is being developed in response to the 2022 Updated OSTP Guidance (Nelson Memo) requiring all federally funded research to be made immediately and publicly...
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2023 U.S. Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking
Open EducationThe U.S. Department of Education has announced its intent to review and potentially change various regulations, some of which may relate to higher education course materials.
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NIH RFI: Draft Public Access Plan
Open Access · Open DataSPARC submitted comments to NIH's request for feedback on its draft public access plan. The draft plan is in response to the 2022 Updated OSTP Guidance (Nelson Memo) requiring all federally funded research to be made immediately and publicly available for free.
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NASA’s Updated Scientific Information Policy for Science Mission Directorate (SMD)
Open Access · Open DataOn December 8, NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) released an important update to its comprehensive Scientific Information Policy (SPD-41a) to provide guidance on the open sharing of publications, data, and software .
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2022 Updated OSTP Policy Guidance
Open Access · Open DataIssued on August 25, 2022, OSTP's updated policy guidance calls on all federal agencies to generate policies that eliminate the current 12-month waiting period for access to the outputs of federally funded research, including articles and data.
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The “Pro Codes” Act (H.R. 6769)
SPARC opposes the "Pro Codes" Act that seeks to to undermine the public's ability to print, copy, or download legal text.
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OSTP Requests for Information on Federal Scientific Integrity Policies
Open AccessSPARC responded to requests from the White Office of Science & Technology Policy for public input to improve federal scientific integrity policies.
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Public Access Language in the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act (USICA)
Open AccessThe House and Senate are considering language that supports providing public access to taxpayer-funded research results in a larger package of competition legislation.
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Request for Information on the Department of Education’s Learning Agenda
Open EducationThe Department of Education seeks public input to help identify priority questions to guide the Department's evidence-building activities.
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