Open Access News

News from the open access movement


Friday, February 04, 2005

More on the NIH policy

Jamie Talan, Public to get online access to studies, New York Newsday, February 4, 2005. Excerpt: 'Ordinary Americans will have access to some of the latest research findings within a year of their publication in scientific journals, the government announced yesterday...."NIH has found a reasonable path," said Dr. Donald Kennedy, editor in chief of Science, one of the most well-known and often-cited journals. Kennedy was not among the letter-writers, but agreed a six-month window could have "fairly serious consequences for some journals." Science has made its studies available to the public after one year for several years, Kennedy said....NIH dollars are gleaned from federal taxes, and the agency felt the public should have ready access to the findings from the funded research. "This will forever change the way the public gains access to scientific information," Zerhouni said. The program will cost the government agency $2 million to $4 million a year.'