Author: Kherlen Martin

NIH is releasing a draft of its updated Public Access Policy in support of its mission to advance access to NIH-funded research results.  The draft policy outlines how NIH proposes to address the Administration’s 2022 Memo on Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research through additional steps to accelerate access.

Additionally, NIH is proposing supplementary draft guidance on government use license and rights and publication costs to assist the community with implementing the proposal.  These materials reflect input received in response to the February 2023 NIH Plan to Enhance Public Access to the Results of NIH-Supported Research.

Public comments on the NIH’s Draft Public Access Policy and draft Supplemental Guidance will be accepted until August 19, 2024, and can be submitted through the comment portal found here.

Questions may be sent to [email protected]. 

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NIH considers patients, communities, and other members of the public to be essential partners in research and is seeking public input on preferences, experiences, and recommendations relating to increasing public engagement in all phases of clinical research.

To accomplish this goal, NIH asked the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC) to form the ENGAGE Working Group, which includes patients, advocates, researchers, clinicians, non-profit representatives, and more. Today, NIH is launching the first phase of public outreach via a host of events and resources.

Upcoming Events and Resources 

• The new NIH ENGAGE webpage contains background information about clinical research engagement, the Engage Working Group, upcoming NIH events, and more.

• NIH released a request for information today seeking public feedback to inform the efforts of the ENGAGE Working Group.

• The NExTRAC will be meeting on June 17, 2024 to discuss the Engage Working Group’s progress to date. 

• NIH will be hosting an informational webinar related to the request for information on July 17, 2024, which will also include significant time for public feedback. More details will be provided shortly.  

• Read our blog to learn more about clinical research engagement and the efforts of the Engage Working Group.

Questions may be sent to [email protected]. 

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On June 17, 2024, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm ET, NIH will be hosting a virtual meeting of the NExTRAC.  At this meeting, the committee will receive an update from the Working Group on Engaging the Public as Partners in Clinical Research and discuss the next steps regarding its current charge.

A draft agenda, webcast information, details on how to submit written comments, and other meeting materials can be found on the meeting page of the OSP Website.

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Do you have a passion for advancing biomedical research to help Americans live longer, healthier lives? Are you a recognized expert in the field of science policy?  If so, a career in the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) might be the place for you.  At OSP, we work across the research enterprise to ensure NIH policy evolves in tandem with rapidly advancing science and technology.

OSP is seeking an energetic, dynamic, dedicated, individual to be its next Deputy Director. In this role, the incumbent will oversee all elements of policy development, analysis, and evaluation conducted by OSP’s five operating divisions.   These divisions focus on topics such as biosafety, biosecurity, emerging biotechnologies, scientific data sharing, clinical research, bioethics, innovation and more. This position, in combination with the Associate Director for Science Policy, will provide executive level leadership of an office with an operating budget of $12M containing almost 70 employees.

This vacancy will be open until June 5, 2024.  Full information on how to apply can be found at: https://hr.nih.gov/jobs/search/scientific/job-87061.  Please contact OSP Chief of Staff, Kelly Fennington at [email protected], with any questions. 

Please also consider following us on X: @NIH_OSP and LinkedIn. If you are not yet a subscriber to this listserv, please sign up here.