Complying with the NIH Public Access Policy

The 2024 NIH Public Access Policy replaces the one from 2008 and will now go into effect on July 1, 2025 instead of the end of the year 2025. Any peer-reviewed manuscript accepted for publication in a journal will be affected by this new policy. For full details, see the NIH Public Access guidance page or their FAQ.

• The post peer reviewed manuscript (also called the Author Accepted Manuscript) must be made immediately available in PMC upon the date of official publication.
  • The definition of Official Date of Publication is: "the date on which the Final Published Article is first made available in final, edited form, whether in print or electronic (i.e., online) format.” This clarifies how NIH determines when an Author Accepted Manuscript should be made publicly available, which is not dependent on the compilation of a volume or issue or the assignment of associated metadata, as reflected in the revised definition of Final Published Article.

Previously, many publishers deposited the final version of the article into PMC for the author after an embargo period. At this point in time, it is unclear if that workflow will continue. Under the new policy:

• The article must be deposited and made available in PMC at the time of publication.
• No more embargo periods after publication.
• Pre-prints still do not meet the requirements.
• Publishing Open Access does not mean your article complies with the NIH PA policy - it must be in PMC.
• If publishing open access, be sure the publisher will not charge additional fees for complying with depositing to PMC of your Author Accepted Manuscript. (Currently, ACS is one doing this with an Article Development Charge for an extra $2,500.)

Purpose of the Policy

"Increasing access to publications resulting from National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding offers many benefits to the scientific community and the public who funded the underlying research. When patients, families, and healthcare providers can access published findings resulting from NIH funding, they are able to better understand and address the most critical health concerns facing their communities. It also allows researchers, students, and members of the public in all communities to have equitable access to such content.  ..."

To achieve these goals, the NIH Public Access Policy requires Author Accepted Manuscripts accepted for publication in a journal, on or after (July 1, 2025], to be submitted to PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication, for public availability without embargo upon the Official Date of Publication. 

Definitions to Note

"Author Accepted Manuscript: The author’s final version that has been accepted for journal publication and includes all revisions resulting from the peer review process, including all associated tables, graphics, and supplemental material."

"Final Published Article: The journal's authoritative copy, including journal or publisher copyediting and stylistic edits, and formatting changes, even prior to the compilation of a volume or issue or the assignment of associated metadata."

"Official Date of Publication: The date on which the Final Published Article is first made available in final, edited form, whether in print or electronic (i.e., online) format."

Compliance

Compliance with the Policy may be achieved through either:

• Submission of the electronic version of the Author Accepted Manuscript to PubMed Central upon its acceptance for publication, for public availability without embargo upon the Official Date of Publication, or
• Submission of the Final Published Article to PubMed Central from journals or publishers with formal agreements with NLM, upon the Official Date of Publication, for public availability without embargo.

How is non-compliance enforced?

For Grants: "Noncompliance with the NIH Public Access Policy may be considered by NIH regarding future funding decisions for the recipient institution (e.g., as authorized in the NIH GPS 8.5, Specific Award Conditions and Remedies for Noncompliance (Specific Award Conditions and Enforcement Actions)). Non-competing continuation grant awards are subject to a delay in award processing for noncompliance with the NIH Public Access Policy."   

Learn more.