An interoperable and well-functioning network of repositories is an essential component of US national research infrastructure and will play a crucial role in creating a more open and equitable global scholarly communications system. With the advent of the recent OSTP Memorandum requiring Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research, there is a need to help repositories identify tools and practices to ensure that they can become an effective compliance option for this policy
In November, the US Repository Network (USRN) will launch a pilot project aimed at improving the discoverability of articles in repositories. This pilot project involves the use of services from CORE, a not-for-profit aggregator based at Open University in the UK, to evaluate and improve local repository practices. Additional technical support will be provided by Antleaf Ltd.
Professor Petr Knoth, Head of CORE, says:
I am very excited by this cooperation which will see many US institutions benefiting from the experience that CORE has developed working with UK academic institutions over the last decade. As part of the project, we will adapt tools used by UK universities to the US environment, including tools to facilitate OA compliance with the OSTP Nelson memo, and assist institutions in driving increased interoperability and FAIRness of US repositories
To find out more about the project and USRN, read more on the SPARC website: