Policy & Advocacy

STM works in partnership across the research ecosystem to advocate for policies which advance trusted research. In dialogue with governments, funders, institutions, researchers, and beyond, we aim to enable and drive openness, innovation and sustainability through the following activities:

Representation & voice

Serving as the collective voice for our members, representing their interests to government bodies, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. 

Policy development & analysis

Developing policy positions and recommendations that align with the interests of our members. We analyze current and proposed legislation to understand its impact on the industry and provide expert insights.

Advocacy and lobbying

Actively engaging with lawmakers, regulators, and other decision-makers to advocate for policies that support the industry’s growth and sustainability. This can involve direct lobbying, participating in public consultations, and submitting formal comments on proposed regulations.

Stakeholder engagement

Building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, industry partners, and the public. 

Policy updates

Ensuring that members are informed about relevant policy developments, regulatory changes, and other critical issues that could affect their strategies and operations. 

Education and training

Providing educational resources and training to members on compliance with regulations, best practices in advocacy, and understanding the policy landscape.

Research and data analysis

Conducting and commissioning research to support advocacy efforts, providing data and evidence to back policy positions and demonstrate the industry’s value and impact. 

Coalition building

Forming coalitions with other organizations and industries to strengthen advocacy efforts and present a united front on common issues.

ACCESS

EXPLORE STM POLICY & ADVOCACY POSITIONS, STATEMENTS, GUIDELINES & MORE

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Drill deeper

Meet the STM Chapters

STM Chapters connect regional members with STM leadership, support local needs, and ensure strategies reflect cultural and regional contexts.

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Our work protecting author rights and IP

View this collection of resources and positions around intellectual property.

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Our work on AI

STM explores AI’s impact on scholarly communication, providing insights and resources to help members navigate opportunities and challenges in this evolving era.

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Latest policy updates from around the globe

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Horizon Europe slated to double its budget while remaining a standalone programme

On 16 July, the European Commission presented the first draft of its 2028-34 budget, which includes €175 billion for Horizon Europe — nearly double its current funding. Horizon Europe would remain a standalone programme, although the €175 billion would be part of the €409 billion European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and the €1.8 trillion Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF)….

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EU releases new guidance on implementing the AI Act

The EU Commission released three key documents last month for the implementation of the EU AI Act’s rules for providers of general-purpose AI models, related to the obligations that took effect on 2 August: The Code of Practice outlines voluntary measures regarding transparency, copyright and safety and security. These guidelines clarify the scope of the definition and obligations of providers….

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New AI Orders emphasize unrestricted development

Last month, the US unveiled its AI Action Plan accompanied by three executive orders. Taken together, the efforts aim to remove any road blocks from the active development and deployment of American AI. Counter to the Biden Administration’s risk-based approach, the executive orders and action plan focus instead on promoting the unrestricted use and development of AI,…

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USDA reveals ‘America First’ approach to science

In a memo last month that may be an indicator of things to come, the USDA announced that it will ‘place America First in provisioning all USDA funds’ and begin reviewing all contracts and grants for interaction with foreign entities. The memo also requires recipients of USDA funding to disclose any association with foreign entities and ‘certify…

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