NIH Public Access Policy


What is the NIH Public Access Policy?

The NIH's new Public Access Policy requires that all papers resulting from NIH-funded research must be deposited in the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central within 12 months of publication. The Policy applies to all peer-reviewed articles (including their graphics and supplemental materials) accepted for publication on or after April 7th, 2008, arising in whole or part from direct costs paid by the NIH or NIH staff. The Policy requires that these articles be accessible to the public on PubMed Central to help advance science and improve human health, and ensures that the public has access to the published results of NIH funded research.

The Public Access Policy states:

The Director of the National Institutes of Health shall require that all investigators funded by the NIH submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central an electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication: Provided, That the NIH shall implement the public access policy in a manner consistent with copyright law.

Does the Policy apply to me?

The Policy applies to you if your peer-reviewed article is based on work in one or more of the following categories:

  1. Directly funded by an NIH grant or cooperative agreement active in Fiscal Year 2008 (October 1, 2007- September 30, 2008) or beyond;
  2. Directly funded by a contract signed on or after April 7, 2008;
  3. Directly funded by the NIH Intramural Program.
  4. If NIH pays your salary.

Where can I go to learn more?

To learn more about the NIH Public Access Policy, visit the NIH's Public Access website, or read the NIH's Public Access FAQ.