title: Stem cell research funding policies and dynamic innovation: a survey of open access and commercialization requirements.
abstract: This article compares and contrasts the pressures of both open access data sharing and commercialization policies in the context of publicly funded embryonic stem cell research (SCR). First, normative guidelines of international SCR organizations were examined. We then examined SCR funding guidelines and the project evaluation criteria of major funding organizations in the EU, the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Canada and the United States. Our survey of policies revealed subtle pressures to commercialize research that include: increased funding availability for commercialization opportunities, assistance for obtaining intellectual property rights (IPRs) and legislation mandating commercialization. In lieu of open access models, funders are increasingly opting for limited sharing models or "protected commons" models that make the research available to researchers within the same region or those receiving the same funding. Meanwhile, there still is need for funding agencies to clarify and standardize terms such as "non-profit organizations" and "for-profit research," as more universities are pursuing for-profit or commercial opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, 740 Avenue du Docteur-Penfield, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1A5, maroussia.levesque@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maroussia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lévesque
authors.forename: Jihyun Rosel
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isasi
authors.forename: Bartha Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Knoppers
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plomer
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Joly
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D003625:Data Collection; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004345:Drug Industry; D006801:Humans; D012109:Research Support as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D057905:Stem Cell Research