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

CDC blocks publication of vaccine study

After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pulled a report supporting the COVID-19 vaccine from its flagship Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), questions are being raised about whether the publication will continue. The Washington Post reported (9 April) that NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, who is also acting Director of the CDC, had delayed publication of a…

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ADA Title II Compliance Deadline Extended by a Year

The US Department of Justice issued an interim final rule on April 20 extending the compliance dates for web content and mobile app accessibility as required by the updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II regulations. The compliance date for state and local government entities with a total population of 50,000 or more is extended from…

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Entire National Science Board Fired

On Friday, April 25, the President reportedly fired the entire National Science Board (NSB). The NSB plays a major role in overseeing the National Science Foundation (NSF) and advising Congress and the President, and its 24 members generally serve 6-year terms. The Board’s last scheduled meeting, on April 16, was canceled and never rescheduled. NSF is also…

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NIH adds financial disclosure requirement to publications

NIH recently updated its Grants Policy Statement and announced a revised implementation timeline for new Common Form requirements. Of particular note, the new requirements (as of March 25) include a requirement that NIH-funded authors add a percentage and dollar amount of the program costs associated with US federal money to their acknowledgements of funding, and to add a…

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