SPARC
@sparcopen.bsky.social
SPARC is a nonprofit advocacy organization that supports open systems for research and education that enable everyone, everywhere to access, contribute to, and benefit from the knowledge that shapes our world.
Have questions about AI-driven bots & the impact on #OpenAccess repositories? Join the USRN community call Mon., Feb. 23 @ 12 ET to hear Kathleen Shearer & Paul Walk discuss the outcomes of @coar-repositories.bsky.social’s Dealing with Bots Initiative. Register: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
February 13, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Have questions about AI-driven bots & the impact on #OpenAccess repositories? Join the USRN community call Mon., Feb. 23 @ 12 ET to hear Kathleen Shearer & Paul Walk discuss the outcomes of @coar-repositories.bsky.social’s Dealing with Bots Initiative. Register: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
For those navigating new NIH requirements, SPARC's @corinnaturbes.bsky.social & co-author Christopher Steven Marcum explain the realities. Top of list: Authors can comply at zero cost by depositing their author accepted manuscript directly into PubMed Central. upstream.force11.org/cost-of-conf...
The Cost of Confusion: Dispelling Myths about the NIH Public Access Policy and Article Processing Charges
Last July, the NIH issued an RFI on limiting direct spending on article processing charges (APCs). Over 900 public responses offered valuable perspectives but also exposed widespread misconceptions ab...
upstream.force11.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:26 PM
For those navigating new NIH requirements, SPARC's @corinnaturbes.bsky.social & co-author Christopher Steven Marcum explain the realities. Top of list: Authors can comply at zero cost by depositing their author accepted manuscript directly into PubMed Central. upstream.force11.org/cost-of-conf...
It's your work. Know your rights. When you sign a copyright transfer form, you can decide which rights you want to keep & which you want to give away. Check out our copyright resources for authors here: sparcopen.org/our-work/aut...
Author Rights & the SPARC Author Addendum
SPARC provides a full set of resources, including an author addendum, to teach authors about their rights, and to help effectively manage copyright.
sparcopen.org
February 11, 2026 at 1:24 PM
It's your work. Know your rights. When you sign a copyright transfer form, you can decide which rights you want to keep & which you want to give away. Check out our copyright resources for authors here: sparcopen.org/our-work/aut...
Attention #OpenEd Community:
This year's #OpenEducation conference will be virtual October 27-29, 2026. #OpenEd26
openeducationconference.org/news/2025/sa...
This year's #OpenEducation conference will be virtual October 27-29, 2026. #OpenEd26
openeducationconference.org/news/2025/sa...
Save the Date: OpenEd26 is October 27-29 — Open Education Conference
The Open Education Conference is going back virtual! The 2026 Open Education Conference (OpenEd26) will be held on October 27-29, 2026 as a fully virtual event with attendance welcomed from across th...
openeducationconference.org
February 10, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Attention #OpenEd Community:
This year's #OpenEducation conference will be virtual October 27-29, 2026. #OpenEd26
openeducationconference.org/news/2025/sa...
This year's #OpenEducation conference will be virtual October 27-29, 2026. #OpenEd26
openeducationconference.org/news/2025/sa...
If you've walked away from a so-called "big deal," let us know. We keep a record of institutions that have canceled contracts with publishers, along with strategic considerations, outcomes & money saved. Click for a list & resources. sparcopen.org/our-work/big...
Big Deal Cancellation Tracking - SPARC
sparcopen.org
February 9, 2026 at 5:36 PM
If you've walked away from a so-called "big deal," let us know. We keep a record of institutions that have canceled contracts with publishers, along with strategic considerations, outcomes & money saved. Click for a list & resources. sparcopen.org/our-work/big...
The investment of education $$ in open textbooks is making an impact! We just posted a story on the work of #OpenEducation leaders Robert Awkward, Marilyn Billings, Ben Atchison, Susan Tashjian & others in Mass. to help faculty produce #OER books in high-demand fields. sparcopen.org/impact-story...
Massachusetts OER Champions Collaborate to Expand Materials that Boost Student Success - SPARC
sparcopen.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:36 PM
The investment of education $$ in open textbooks is making an impact! We just posted a story on the work of #OpenEducation leaders Robert Awkward, Marilyn Billings, Ben Atchison, Susan Tashjian & others in Mass. to help faculty produce #OER books in high-demand fields. sparcopen.org/impact-story...
Save the Date: International #OpenAccess Week will be October 19-25, 2026. #OAWeek is an opportunity to join together, take action & raise awareness of the benefits of openly sharing knowledge. www.openaccessweek.org
International Open Access Week
International Open Access Week is held annually to inspire global momentum toward the open sharing of knowledge in order to address important social issues affecting people around the world. Open Acce...
www.openaccessweek.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Save the Date: International #OpenAccess Week will be October 19-25, 2026. #OAWeek is an opportunity to join together, take action & raise awareness of the benefits of openly sharing knowledge. www.openaccessweek.org
We have 3 must-read papers & valuable resources created w/ @authorsalliance.bsky.social on
1) #OpenAccess & U.S. Federal Information Policy;
2) The Legal Basis for Federal #PublicAccess Mandates;
3) Federal Grants & Institutional IP policies.
Download now: www.authorsalliance.org/legal-pathwa...
1) #OpenAccess & U.S. Federal Information Policy;
2) The Legal Basis for Federal #PublicAccess Mandates;
3) Federal Grants & Institutional IP policies.
Download now: www.authorsalliance.org/legal-pathwa...
Legal Pathways to Open Access
Legal Pathways to Open Access is a joint project of Authors Alliance and SPARC to study critical issues in access to scholarly research. Among the goals of the year-long project are a series of whi…
www.authorsalliance.org
February 3, 2026 at 12:26 PM
We have 3 must-read papers & valuable resources created w/ @authorsalliance.bsky.social on
1) #OpenAccess & U.S. Federal Information Policy;
2) The Legal Basis for Federal #PublicAccess Mandates;
3) Federal Grants & Institutional IP policies.
Download now: www.authorsalliance.org/legal-pathwa...
1) #OpenAccess & U.S. Federal Information Policy;
2) The Legal Basis for Federal #PublicAccess Mandates;
3) Federal Grants & Institutional IP policies.
Download now: www.authorsalliance.org/legal-pathwa...
Coming up today, Feb 2 at Noon ET: US Repository Network community conversation on how institutional & data repositories are preparing digital content to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Register now: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
February 2, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Coming up today, Feb 2 at Noon ET: US Repository Network community conversation on how institutional & data repositories are preparing digital content to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Register now: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reminder today Feb. 2 at 3pm ET we are hosting a webcast w/ the @authorsalliance.bsky.social on the NSF publication & data sharing policies in its new Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide. Register: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Understanding NSF's PAPPG Update. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
On February 2nd, SPARC will host a webcast in collaboration with Authors Alliance to walk through the changes to NSF's Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that includes new public...
sparcopen-org.zoom.us
February 2, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Reminder today Feb. 2 at 3pm ET we are hosting a webcast w/ the @authorsalliance.bsky.social on the NSF publication & data sharing policies in its new Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide. Register: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
When organizations adopt #OpenScience policies, it can accelerate the pace of discovery, build public trust & lead to breakthroughs. See how the @americanheart.bsky.social is embracing FAIR principles & training its grantees to share research outcomes: sparcopen.org/news/2025/am...
American Heart Association Amplifies Impact of Research with Open Policies - SPARC
sparcopen.org
January 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM
When organizations adopt #OpenScience policies, it can accelerate the pace of discovery, build public trust & lead to breakthroughs. See how the @americanheart.bsky.social is embracing FAIR principles & training its grantees to share research outcomes: sparcopen.org/news/2025/am...
SPARC's Federal Policy Publications and Data Sharing Resources include new policies from the NSF PAPPG. See the NSF and other agencies' public access requirements: researchsharing.sparcopen.org
January 29, 2026 at 9:18 PM
SPARC's Federal Policy Publications and Data Sharing Resources include new policies from the NSF PAPPG. See the NSF and other agencies' public access requirements: researchsharing.sparcopen.org
Join us on Feb. 2 at 3pm ET for a webcast w/ the @authorsalliance.bsky.social. We'll provide an overview of the NSF publication & data sharing policies in the Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide released Jan. 22. Get a policy overview + time for Q&A. sparcopen-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Understanding NSF's PAPPG Update. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
On February 2nd, SPARC will host a webcast in collaboration with Authors Alliance to walk through the changes to NSF's Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that includes new public...
sparcopen-org.zoom.us
January 29, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Join us on Feb. 2 at 3pm ET for a webcast w/ the @authorsalliance.bsky.social. We'll provide an overview of the NSF publication & data sharing policies in the Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide released Jan. 22. Get a policy overview + time for Q&A. sparcopen-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reminder: the US Repository Network community conversation has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb 2 @ 12pm ET. An expert panel will discuss how institutional & data repositories are preparing digital content to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Register now: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: USRN Community Conversation. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
RESCHEDULED to February 2 due to severe weather conditions impacting much of the East Coast.
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Join us on February 2 at 12 pm ET / 9 am PT as we continue our USRN Community Conversations series, a ...
sparcopen-org.zoom.us
January 29, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Reminder: the US Repository Network community conversation has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb 2 @ 12pm ET. An expert panel will discuss how institutional & data repositories are preparing digital content to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Register now: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Colorado is an #OpenEducation leader! With a track record of saving students $$$ millions, the state is considering funding the #OER program for 5 more years. Bill summary here: leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1.... More on the state's #OpenEd success in SPARC impact story: sparcopen.org/impact-story...
January 28, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Colorado is an #OpenEducation leader! With a track record of saving students $$$ millions, the state is considering funding the #OER program for 5 more years. Bill summary here: leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1.... More on the state's #OpenEd success in SPARC impact story: sparcopen.org/impact-story...
If you're looking to learn the basics of #OpenAccess or want a refresher, check out recordings & slides from our 4-part OA101 series. Created w/ the Scholarly Communication Notebook team, it includes case studies, emerging issues & answers to FAQs from faculty. sparcopen.org/our-work/ope...
Open Access 101 Series - SPARC
sparcopen.org
January 27, 2026 at 1:13 PM
If you're looking to learn the basics of #OpenAccess or want a refresher, check out recordings & slides from our 4-part OA101 series. Created w/ the Scholarly Communication Notebook team, it includes case studies, emerging issues & answers to FAQs from faculty. sparcopen.org/our-work/ope...
Due to the severe weather conditions affecting much of the East Coast, we are postponing today’s scheduled USRN Community Call. Our priority is everyone’s safety & ability to participate fully. We hope to reschedule for Mon., Feb. 2 @ 12pm ET. Stay tuned for more info!
January 26, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Due to the severe weather conditions affecting much of the East Coast, we are postponing today’s scheduled USRN Community Call. Our priority is everyone’s safety & ability to participate fully. We hope to reschedule for Mon., Feb. 2 @ 12pm ET. Stay tuned for more info!
Learn how to advocate for change with state policy recommendations in our #OER Policy Playbook. Working together to advance #OpenEd #OpenEducation! sparcopen.org/our-work/oer...
OER State Policy Playbook - SPARC
sparcopen.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Learn how to advocate for change with state policy recommendations in our #OER Policy Playbook. Working together to advance #OpenEd #OpenEducation! sparcopen.org/our-work/oer...
In case you missed it, @orfg.bsky.social weighed in on the request from the National Institutes of Health for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs. Click for details: www.orfg.org/news/2025/12...
ORFG Submits Comments to NIH on Allowable Costs — Open Research Funders Group
In September 2025 several ORFG member organizations signed a joint letter in response to the National Institutes of Health’s Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable...
www.orfg.org
January 22, 2026 at 12:25 PM
In case you missed it, @orfg.bsky.social weighed in on the request from the National Institutes of Health for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs. Click for details: www.orfg.org/news/2025/12...
All are welcome to join the free US Repository Network community conversation on Mon, Jan. 26 @ 12pm ET. An expert panel will discuss how institutional & data repositories are preparing digital content to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Register now: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 21, 2026 at 1:32 PM
All are welcome to join the free US Repository Network community conversation on Mon, Jan. 26 @ 12pm ET. An expert panel will discuss how institutional & data repositories are preparing digital content to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Register now: sparcopen-org.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Discover what's happening on campuses with automatic textbook billing (inclusive access). SPARC has collected 250 contracts from 122 institutions in 38 states. Read the fine print in our Textbook Billing Contract Library here: sparcopen.org/our-work/aut... www.inclusiveaccess.org
InclusiveAccess.org – The Facts on Affordable Access Textbooks
Inclusive Access and Affordable Access programs add the cost of textbooks into college tuition and fees. Do the advertised benefits outweigh the costs and challenges? Get the facts.
www.inclusiveaccess.org
January 20, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Discover what's happening on campuses with automatic textbook billing (inclusive access). SPARC has collected 250 contracts from 122 institutions in 38 states. Read the fine print in our Textbook Billing Contract Library here: sparcopen.org/our-work/aut... www.inclusiveaccess.org
Making sure researchers have access to the research they need is a critical function of the library - and that doesn’t change after renegotiating a big deal. We have tips & examples on how to provide alternative access & save your campus $$$. sparcopen.org/our-work/neg...
Recommendations for Providing Alternative Access After a Big Deal Cancellation - SPARC
sparcopen.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Making sure researchers have access to the research they need is a critical function of the library - and that doesn’t change after renegotiating a big deal. We have tips & examples on how to provide alternative access & save your campus $$$. sparcopen.org/our-work/neg...
Open Educational Resources has increasingly become a go-to strategy for legislators seeking to make college education more affordable. Follow the latest in #OpenEducation legislation with our #OER State Policy Tracker sparcopen.org/our-work/sta...
OER State Policy Tracker - SPARC
Stay up to date on OER policy in your state with SPARC's tracker, updated weekly. Also be sure to check out our State Policy Playbook!
sparcopen.org
January 15, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Open Educational Resources has increasingly become a go-to strategy for legislators seeking to make college education more affordable. Follow the latest in #OpenEducation legislation with our #OER State Policy Tracker sparcopen.org/our-work/sta...
We've updated our publication & data sharing policy resources with new analysis for Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Community Living (ACL), Census Bureau, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), USGS & NSF. Click here for more:
researchsharing.sparcopen.org
researchsharing.sparcopen.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:38 PM
We've updated our publication & data sharing policy resources with new analysis for Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration for Community Living (ACL), Census Bureau, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), USGS & NSF. Click here for more:
researchsharing.sparcopen.org
researchsharing.sparcopen.org