The National Science Foundation is changing its policies in regards to publicly funded programs. The NSF will require public access to the products and data resulting from research and projects undertaken using NSF funds. A brief synopsis of proposed changes can be found below:
“The National Science Foundation (NSF or Foundation) has developed a plan outlining a framework for activities to increase public access to scientific publications and digital scientific data resulting from research the foundation funds
This NSF requirement will apply to new awards resulting from proposals submitted, or due, on or after the effective date of the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that will be issued in January 2016.
NSF’s current data management plan requirement and policies on costs of publication and data citation in biographical sketches will remain unchanged for the present while the Foundation undertakes activities to engage the research communities around data management in support of public access goals”.
For more information please refer to the official NSF announcement: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/public_access/index.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_51