SPARC has submitted formal comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on its proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance (2 CFR Part 200, Docket No. OMB–2026–0034), a rulemaking that touches everything from how federal grants are administered to how the results of federally funded research reach the public.
The
A new national study showing the widespread benefits of Open Educational Resources to student success has prompted the American Association of Colleges and Universities to name OER a “high-impact practice.”
It is the 12th high-impact practice, alongside first-year seminars, internships and capstone experiences, that AAC&U deemed worthy of highlighting for educators seeking ways to
Beginning in 2019, SPARC has regularly provided our community with market analyses and suggestions for accompanying action to better navigate the rapidly evolving research and education environments. This page hosts our most current analysis as well as those we’ve produced in the past for reference.
Financial Landscape Analysis 2026: Scholarly Publishing & Research Analytics Companies
On May 21, 2026 the Government Accountability Office released a new report, Federal Research: Agencies Should Better Manage Anticipated Publishing Cost Increases Amid Shift to Public Access (GAO-26-107738). SPARC issued the following statement in response:
The federal government has one obligation in public access policy: ensure that taxpayers can access the results of the research
SPARC is pleased to welcome April Clyburne-Sherin as a Senior Manager, Programs & Engagement. In this newly created position, she will play a central role in translating SPARC’s strategic direction into effective, responsive programs for members and the broader community.
Clyburne-Sherin has been an open research consultant since 2017, working with a variety of clients
After years of public and government consideration, the South African government approved a National Open Science Policy in December 2025. It requires all research outputs that arise from public funding be made available open access. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation published details of the landmark policy in March 2026.
“Faster, less costly access
After Wisconsin’s success in creating Open Educational Resources (OER) for nursing students, the state expanded its investment in open textbook production – benefiting learners at the state’s 16 technical colleges and beyond.
Many are saving money on textbooks as they pursue in-demand workforce skills in manufacturing, early childhood education, and healthcare. More than 30 open
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