MCW Libraries

NIH Public Access Policy

The NIH Public Access Policy ensures that the public has access to the published results of NIH funded research. Any peer-reviewed article accepted for publication on or after April 7, 2008 that arises from NIH funds must be submitted to PubMed Central.

Please read the Memorandum to NIH-funded Researchers and Authors (PDF) from David D. Gutterman, MD, Senior Associate Dean for Research regarding the revised NIH Public Access Policy.

 

Does the NIH Public Access Policy apply to you?

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 FY 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.

How do you comply?

1. Address Copyright
Make sure that any copyright transfer or other publication agreements allow the final peer-reviewed manuscripts to be submitted to NIH in accordance with the Policy.

MCW is providing for investigator’s use the standard language suggested by NIH which should be inserted into the publisher’s copyright agreement at the time the investigator’s article is accepted for publication, ensuring the investigator’s right to deposit the article and supporting data to PMC. (Some publishers’ agreements may already contain this language, however, it is recommended that the investigator add it as a safeguard.)

2. Submit Papers
Some publishers make the final published version of every NIH-funded article publicly available in PubMed Central within 12 months of publication, without author involvement. See http://publicaccess.nih.gov/submit_process_journals.htm for a list of these journals.
Some publishers submit the accepted manuscript to PubMed Central for NIH funded authors.  For a list of these journals click here.

For any journal other than one of those in this list, the author must:

• Inform the journal that the final peer-reviewed manuscript is subject to the Public Access Policy when submitting it for publication.
• Make sure that any copyright transfer or other publication agreement allows the final peer-reviewed manuscript to be submitted to NIH in accordance with the Policy. For more information, see the FAQ.
• Submit the final peer-reviewed manuscript to NIH, upon acceptance for publication. You can submit the article yourself or have MCW Libraries submit on your behalf.

3. Cite Papers
As of May 25, 2008, NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports must include the PubMed Central reference number when citing an article that falls under the policy and is authored or co-authored by the investigator, or arose from the investigator’s NIH award. This includes applications submitted to the NIH for the May 25, 2008 due date and subsequent due dates.

MCW Libraries held information sessions on the NIH Public Access Policy from April-June 2009. If you were unable to attend the PowerPoint presentation is available.