Published July 8, 2025, via Research News
The updated 2024 NIH Public Access Policy for publications requires Author Accepted Manuscripts (AAMs) accepted for publication in a journal, on or after July 1, 2025, to be submitted to PubMed Central (PMC) upon acceptance for publication, for public availability without embargo upon the Official Date of Publication.
- The effective date for the updated 2024 NIH Public Access Policy is July 1, 2025:
- If the manuscript in process is accepted for publication on or BEFORE June 30, 2025, a 12-month embargo is acceptable by NIH.
- If the manuscript in process is accepted for publication on or AFTER July 1, 2025, NIH requires a zero embargo.
- NIH-funded Authors should add the NIH Rights Statement to their manuscripts being prepared for peer review. The Statement can accompany the required funding acknowledgment.
“This manuscript is the result of funding in whole or in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is subject to the NIH Public Access Policy. Through acceptance of this federal funding, NIH has been given a right to make this manuscript publicly available in PubMed Central upon the Official Date of Publication, as defined by NIH.”
- WashU Authors should check journal policies for NIH-funded Authors before submitting a manuscript for peer review.
- Publishers are changing their policies and business models and may advise Authors that a fee or a specific publishing license is required for compliance. Per NIH, there is no fee or Article Processing Charge (APC) required for compliance, nor is there a requirement for specific publishing model (i.e., Open Access) or specific license (i.e., Creative Commons).
- WashU Authors must ensure that the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) is submitted to the NIH Manuscript Submission System (NIHMS)/PubMed Central (PMC) upon acceptance of publication to be made freely available without an embargo upon the official date of publication.
- WashU Authors should be prepared to submit the AAM to NIHMS/PMC upon acceptance of publication if the publisher is not willing to do so.
- WashU Authors should keep copies of AAMs, including tables, figures, and supplemental files.
- A PMCID is required within 90 days of the Official Date of Publication to demonstrate compliance with the NIH Policy. The NIHMSID can be used in the interim.
- Non-compliance may be considered by NIH regarding future funding decisions and may also delay award processing for continuation awards.
To learn more about the updated 2024 NIH Public Access Policy:
- NIH Public Access Policy Guidance
- NIH Public Access Policy FAQs
- NCBI Updates to Offerings in Support of the 2024 NIH Public Access Policy
- Register for the Zoom session from Becker Library scheduled for Wednesday July 30, 2025: The Updated NIH Public Access Policy for Publications.
Becker Medical Library and WashU Libraries offer services for NIH-funded Authors. Presentations (Zoom or in-person) are also available.
Becker Medical Library
- Confirm publisher policies for authors funded by NIH and other federal funders.
- Submit AAMs to NIHMS/PMC on behalf of NIH-funded Authors.
- Review publishing/copyright forms.
- Assist with NCBI My Bibliography.
- Check on compliance status of NIH-funded articles.
Questions? Contact Cathy Sarli or Amy Suiter.
WashU Libraries
- General support for compliance with public access mandates and other requirements of federal funders.
Questions? Contact Micah Zeller or Treasa Bane.
May 1, 2025 Research News: Revision Notice for the 2024 NIH Public Access Policy for Publications.