US congress introduces Federal Research Public Access Act

The Federal Research Public Access Act of 2010 (FRPAA) has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. The proposed bill would require federal agencies with annual extramural research budgets of $100 million or more to provide the public with online access to research manuscripts stemming from funded research no later than six months after publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

'This bill recognises the urgent need – and opportunity – to use digital technology to increase the pace of innovation,' commented Elliot Schwartz, vice president for Economic Studies at the Committee for Economic Development. 'The bill is a crucial, welcome move toward advancing research through openness and avoiding making the taxpayer pay twice for taxpayer-funded research… it is good public policy.'