The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Libraries is helping researchers comply with new federal requirements mandating that the results of federally funded research be made publicly available immediately upon publication. The change, announced by agencies including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and Department of Education, removes the longstanding 12-month embargo period and is scheduled to take effect by the end of 2025.
UTSA Libraries staff have been reviewing funder policies, tracking publisher responses, and coordinating with the university’s Office of Research to ensure faculty and graduate students remain compliant. Support includes workshops, guidance on data management plans, and assistance with selecting repositories such as PubMed Central or UTSA’s Runner Research Press. The library also provides information about publisher agreements that enable authors to publish open access without additional cost.
Through training sessions and one-on-one support, librarians are working to reduce the compliance burden on researchers. Practical assistance includes navigating policy changes, understanding publisher requirements, and identifying cost-effective publishing options. The initiative is designed to protect future funding eligibility while helping researchers focus on their work in an increasingly open-access publishing environment.
Click here to read the original press release.
