The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently distributed a proposal to update the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, or Uniform Guidance. The proposed rule introduces new requirements for federal programs, including grant distribution, that would significantly constrain the role of scientific expertise in federal decision-making. These changes directly conflict with the core values of SSP (community, integrity, inclusivity, and adaptability) and the principles that guide our work. As the Board of Directors of SSP, we oppose this update unequivocally and stand in full support of the global scholarly publishing community.
Scholarly publishers play a critical role in advancing scholarly communication, protecting the integrity of the scientific record, and supporting global collaboration. SSP advances scholarship by supporting every contributor to the publishing ecosystem by bringing together various views, disciplines, and communities. Global inclusion is essential to the integrity of our work. Restricting who can participate in federally supported research and creating barriers to knowledge is unacceptable. These limitations would prevent researchers from engaging with critical global issues, weaken the international exchange of ideas, and diminish the different perspectives that drive scientific progress and our SSP community.
The proposal places politics above scientific integrity, innovation, and trust. Our community depends on open collaboration with a worldwide network of experts, and this rule would limit the connections that make scientific progress possible. The long-term effect of this rule would be a research landscape representing fewer breakthroughs and perspectives, resulting in reduced innovation and weakened public confidence in the institutions responsible for the administration of scientific knowledge.
SSP stands firmly in support of science, scholarship, and global engagement. We stand by the principles that define our core values. They guide how we show up for one another and the broader research ecosystem.
What can you do? You can join us for a Town Hall, led by SSP’s newly formed Advocacy Committee co-chaired by Beth Craanen and Tim Lloyd, on June 22 at 1:00 pm ET to discuss the OMB proposal, share best practices, and consider our next steps together.
Please know that SSP will continue to support and advocate for our global community. You entrusted us with this responsibility, and we will serve you with the commitment you expect and deserve. We stand with our industry and adjacent partners, building coalitions, as we make clear to OMB that we will not be silent, nor will we stand idly by while the importance of our work and the identity of our community is minimized.
We urge you to stand with us in opposing the OMB’s proposed revisions to the Federal Awards and Uniform Guidance and in our commitment to protect the integrity of scientific research and in defending the standards that safeguard our collective future. Submit your comment by July 13 (OMB-2026-0034). This recent Scholarly Kitchen article, authored by Darla Henderson (FASEB), has helpful tips for responding to the OMB proposed rule.
About the Society for Scholarly Publishing The Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP), founded in 1978, is a nonprofit organization formed to promote and advance communication among all sectors of the scholarly publication community through networking, information dissemination, and facilitation of new developments in the field. SSP members represent all aspects of scholarly publishing—including publishers, printers, e-product developers, technical service providers, librarians, and editors. SSP members come from a wide range of large and small commercial and nonprofit organizations. They meet at SSP’s annual meetings, educational seminars, and regional events to hear the latest trends from respected colleagues and discuss common and mutual (and sometimes divergent) goals and viewpoints.
Contact Melanie Dolechek, Executive Director | info@sspnet.org | 303-422-3914
