*Policy & Advocacy Archives - STM Association https://stm-assoc.org/category/core-services/policy-advocacy/ International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:39:42 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 STM supports transparency in AI training https://stm-assoc.org/stm-supports-transparency-in-ai-training/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:39:42 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=39093 STM has expressed support for Congressional efforts to legislate on AI transparency, with several bills proposed to require AI developers to disclose the use of copyrighted material. The TRAIN Act grants rightsholders the ability to petition courts to subpoena developers to release generative AI training data. The CLEAR Act would require generative AI developers to disclose, available via a...

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STM has expressed support for Congressional efforts to legislate on AI transparency, with several bills proposed to require AI developers to disclose the use of copyrighted material.

The TRAIN Act grants rightsholders the ability to petition courts to subpoena developers to release generative AI training data. The CLEAR Act would require generative AI developers to disclose, available via a Copyright Office database, detailed summaries of the copyrighted works used during training for all publicly accessible models.

STM CEO Caroline Sutton provided supportive quotes regarding the goals of both of these bills, and will be working with the bills’ sponsors on details if they move forward in the legislative process.

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EU Commission releases report on ERA Act consultation https://stm-assoc.org/eu-commission-releases-report-on-era-act-consultation/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:38:48 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=39092 Following the call for evidence on the ERA Act open between 6 August and 10 September 2025, the EU Commission released a summary of stakeholders’ responses. A fragmented copyright landscape, the lack of standardised metadata and interoperable data infrastructures, inequities arising from APCs, dominance of English in scientific publishing, reliance on commercial publishers and restrictive contractual practices...

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Following the call for evidence on the ERA Act open between 6 August and 10 September 2025, the EU Commission released a summary of stakeholders’ responses. A fragmented copyright landscape, the lack of standardised metadata and interoperable data infrastructures, inequities arising from APCs, dominance of English in scientific publishing, reliance on commercial publishers and restrictive contractual practices were identified as obstacles to the free circulation of knowledge (Section 7.2.). Several stakeholders called for the harmonisation of legal frameworks, particularly concerning copyright exceptions and secondary publishing rights as a way forward. STM is engaging with the EU Commission regarding the potential proposal of some of these measures.

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STM submitted comments on copyright and AI in India https://stm-assoc.org/stm-submitted-comments-on-copyright-and-ai-in-india/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:11:46 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=39044 On 6 February, STM finalised its submission to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in response to the Working Paper on Generative Artificial Intelligence and Copyright, which proposed introducing a statutory licensing scheme for AI. Other global and local publishing organisations, as well as additional rightsholders, also made submissions. STM will...

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On 6 February, STM finalised its submission to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in response to the Working Paper on Generative Artificial Intelligence and Copyright, which proposed introducing a statutory licensing scheme for AI. Other global and local publishing organisations, as well as additional rightsholders, also made submissions. STM will continue to monitor developments and engage with stakeholders in India.

Read the consultation here.

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NSF implements immediate public access requirements https://stm-assoc.org/nsf-implements-immediate-public-access-requirements/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:11:26 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=39043 On January 22, NSF announced an immediate update to its public access policies in its Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Effective immediately for new “financial assistance awards,” NSF grant recipients are required to deposit an accepted manuscript to the NSF Public Access Repository (PAR) immediately “at or before the time of publication.” On...

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On January 22, NSF announced an immediate update to its public access policies in its Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Effective immediately for new “financial assistance awards,” NSF grant recipients are required to deposit an accepted manuscript to the NSF Public Access Repository (PAR) immediately “at or before the time of publication.”

On the positive side, the new Guide explicitly allows payment of APCs, referred to as “special fees for the purpose of making published versions of record (VORs) publicly accessible.” The Guide also includes language reaffirming that copyright belongs to the author and encourages — but does not require — the use of permissive reuse licenses for publications.

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STM comments on NSF Strategic Plan https://stm-assoc.org/stm-comments-on-nsf-strategic-plan/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:11:05 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=39042 In January, NSF released a draft 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. The draft is briefer and more high-level than previous plans, outlining nine objectives along with high-level strategies to achieve them and measures of success. Of particular interest to STM members, NSF proposes to measure success of the first objective — “Uphold tenets of Gold Standard Science while...

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In January, NSF released a draft 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. The draft is briefer and more high-level than previous plans, outlining nine objectives along with high-level strategies to achieve them and measures of success.

Of particular interest to STM members, NSF proposes to measure success of the first objective — “Uphold tenets of Gold Standard Science while enabling groundbreaking research and innovation” — by tracking the number of resources deposited in public access repositories.

STM provided comments, which were required to be submitted via an online form within two weeks, noting that publishers are key partners in achieving NSF’s objectives. STM emphasized that Gold Standard Science hinges on publishers’ investments and that inflexible and unfunded public access policies risk undermining NSF’s goals. STM also noted that measures of success should be broader.

Read STM’s full submission here.

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NIH and most science agencies funded for FY2026 https://stm-assoc.org/nih-and-most-science-agencies-funded-for-fy2026/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:10:41 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=39041 On Tuesday, February 3, after a brief partial government shutdown, Congress funded the remaining parts of the government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026 (with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security). The final bill included funding for NIH and other remaining science agencies. Funding for NIH was increased slightly (~1%), while DOD’s...

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On Tuesday, February 3, after a brief partial government shutdown, Congress funded the remaining parts of the government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026 (with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security). The final bill included funding for NIH and other remaining science agencies.

Funding for NIH was increased slightly (~1%), while DOD’s basic research budget was cut by about 5%, and applied research increased by 15%.

The bill directly reaffirms Congress’ intent that indirect cost rates at NIH remain at previously negotiated levels and directs NIH to explore the FAIR model for funding indirect costs, though not before 2027.

It also indirectly endorses Senate Labor–Health and Human Services report language (see STM’s previous comments to NIH here) supporting NIH’s efforts to “address rising APCs,” while directing NIH to work with the scientific community on the details of “an APC allowable charge limit.”

Delve deeper via the Joint Explanatory Statement (p 41), the Senate report (p 149), the full bill itself, and/or AAAS’ analysis of the budgets.

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OSTP to review potential “repeal” of Nelson Memo https://stm-assoc.org/ostp-to-review-potential-repeal-of-nelson-memo/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:10:05 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=39040 Tucked into the “Joint Explanatory Statement” accompanying the Appropriations “Minibus” passed in January is a non-binding provision requesting that the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) report on the status of a “process of repealing the August 25, 2022, Memorandum to Executive Departments and Agencies entitled, ‘Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access...

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Tucked into the “Joint Explanatory Statement” accompanying the Appropriations “Minibus” passed in January is a non-binding provision requesting that the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) report on the status of a “process of repealing the August 25, 2022, Memorandum to Executive Departments and Agencies entitled, ‘Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research,’” commonly known as the Nelson memo.

STM has learned that the current Administration has expressed concerns about the Nelson memo and is reviewing potential options.

It is worth recalling that the Commerce, Justice, and Science bills passed by both the House and the Senate this summer also included provisions raising concerns about the implementation costs of the Nelson memo, as well as its potential impact on copyright and researcher choice.

STM continues to engage with policymakers on these issues and will keep members informed as developments unfold.

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CLA welcomes new CEO https://stm-assoc.org/cla-welcomes-new-ceo/ Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:01:54 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=38999 The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) shared that Simon Hutson has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of CLA.  With over 20 years of experience across publishing, media and technology, including leadership roles at the BBC, Reuters and Cision, Hutson brings a powerful blend of commercial insight, strategic innovation and a deep commitment to creators and publishers. Read...

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The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) shared that Simon Hutson has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of CLA.  With over 20 years of experience across publishing, media and technology, including leadership roles at the BBC, Reuters and Cision, Hutson brings a powerful blend of commercial insight, strategic innovation and a deep commitment to creators and publishers. Read announcement: CLA appoints Simon Hutson as Chief Executive Officer | Copyright Licensing Agency

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Congress rejects cuts to science funding https://stm-assoc.org/congress-rejects-cuts-to-science-funding/ Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:01:57 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=38993 To kick off the new year, Congress agreed to a “minibus” spending package that rejects the Administration’s draconian cuts to federal science funding. The package includes several key science agencies, with only slight reductions for NSF, NASA, USGS, and NOAA, and modest increases for the DOE Office of Science and NIST. While these numbers might ordinarily disappoint the...

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To kick off the new year, Congress agreed to a “minibus” spending package that rejects the Administration’s draconian cuts to federal science funding. The package includes several key science agencies, with only slight reductions for NSF, NASA, USGS, and NOAA, and modest increases for the DOE Office of Science and NIST. While these numbers might ordinarily disappoint the research community, the bill has garnered broad support as it averts the steep cuts initially proposed by the President—as well as the smaller, but still substantial, reductions advanced by the House. Notably, the bill includes a provision requesting an update from OSTP on the status of the Nelson memo.

Some agencies, including NSF, have paused awarding new grants pending final passage of the bill. Once it’s signed by the President, funding is expected to resume, allowing grants to start flowing again.

Looking ahead, Congress must now tackle more contentious funding bills, including those for NIH (as part of the Labor-HHS bill) and the Department of Homeland Security (which includes immigration enforcement). Without new legislation, funding for these agencies will expire at the end of the month. The Labor-HHS bill also includes report language concerning NIH’s proposed publication expense cap policy.

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NIH approves hundreds of previously rejected grants https://stm-assoc.org/nih-approves-hundreds-of-previously-rejected-grants/ Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:01:39 +0000 https://stm-assoc.org/?p=38994 Last year, NIH abruptly cancelled or rejected thousands of grants based on their alleged non-alignment with Administration priorities. This included the unilateral rejection of projects addressing disfavored topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. In response to legal challenges — though without admitting wrongdoing — NIH has agreed to reconsider more than 5,000 grants. According...

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Last year, NIH abruptly cancelled or rejected thousands of grants based on their alleged non-alignment with Administration priorities. This included the unilateral rejection of projects addressing disfavored topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. In response to legal challenges — though without admitting wrongdoing — NIH has agreed to reconsider more than 5,000 grants. According to Inside Higher Ed499 of the first 528 reconsidered proposals have now been approved.

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