Quick Links
- NIH Public Access PolicyComplete information regarding the Policy.
- PubMed CentralDigital archive of the National Library of Medicine.
- NIH Manuscript SubmissionSubmit peer-reviewed final manuscripts to NIHMS for inclusion in PubMed Central
- SHERPA/RoMEOCopyright and self-archiving policies of journals and publishers.
Media Requirements
While not part of the Public Access Policy, note that NIH also requires grant acknowledement in the media (e.g., press releases, web stories, blog posts).
Grantees are required to include the following:
- A reference to the National Institutes of Health
- The name of the funding institute (e.g., National Cancer Institute)
Overview
The NIH Public Access Policy ensures that the public has access to the published results of NIH funded research. Effective April 7, 2008, the NIH Public Access Policy requires that all peer-reviewed articles arising from NIH funds are submitted to PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication.
To help advance science and improve human and animal health, the Policy requires that these papers are accessible to the public in PubMed Central no later than 12 months after publication.
NIH further requires investigators to include the PubMed Central reference number (PMCID) in all subsequent NIH grant applications, proposals, and progress reports as evidence of compliance.
NIH Public Access Policy Fact Sheet (Feb 2012) discusses the implications of the policy.
A (not so) friendly reminder: NIH will delay processing of non-competing continuation grant awards if publications arising from that award are not in compliance with the Public Access mandate. NOT-OD-12-160 (Nov 2012)
Changes to the NIH Public Access Policy and the Implication (Jan 2013 Webinar from NIH)
How to Comply
- Determine Applicability [NIH]
Does the NIH Public Access Policy apply to your manuscript?
- Address Copyright
Make sure your publishing agreement allows your work to be posted to PubMed Central (PMC).
- Determine the "Journal Method"
In Journal Methods A & B, the publisher submits the manuscript to PMC and approves the public release. In Journal Methods C & D, the manuscript goes through the NIH Manuscript Submission system, and you approve the public release.
- Cite PMCIDs in Reports and Applications
Include the PMCID at the end of the full citation in your application or report. The PMCID is your evidence of compliance.
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