US government to make all research it funds open access on publication

Article note: Oohh. Both obligatory cutting out paywalls from parasitic publishers AND imposing more source and raw data publishing. This might actually improve things in academia.

Enlarge / Alondra Nelson, President Joe Biden's pick for OSTP deputy director for science and society, speaks during an announcement on January 16, 2021, at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware. (credit: Getty Images)

Many federal policy changes are well known before they are announced. Hints in speeches, leaks, and early access to reporters at major publications all pave the way for the eventual confirmation. But on Thursday, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) dropped a big one that seemed to take everyone by surprise. Starting in 2026, any scientific publication that receives federal funding will need to be openly accessible on the day it's published.

The move has the potential to further shake up the scientific publishing industry, which has already adopted preprint archives, similar mandates from other funding organizations, and greatly expanded access to publications during the pandemic.

The change was announced by Alondra Nelson, acting head of the OSTP (a permanent director is in the process of Senate confirmation). The formal policy is laid out in an accompanying memorandum.