Research institutions back US open-access bill

The provosts and presidents of 27 major private and public research institutions in the USA have voiced their support for the Federal Research Public Access Act (FRPAA) in an 'Open Letter to the Higher Education Community'. 

'As scholars and university administrators, we are acutely aware that the present system of scholarly communication does not always serve the best interests of our institutions or the general public,' says the letter. 'FRPAA is good for education and good for research. It is good for the American public, and it promotes broad, democratic access to knowledge.'

The letter continues: 'While [the act] challenges the academy and scholarly publishers to think and act creatively, it need not threaten nor undermine a successful balance of our interests. If passed, we will work with researchers, publishers, and federal agencies to ensure its successful implementation.'