NIH Public Access Policy

Introduction

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released its new Public Access Policy, which became effective on April 7, 2008. Federal law now requires that the author's final version of any peer-reviewed journal article resulting from NIH-funded activities must be submitted to the PubMed Central (PMC) repository where it will be made available to the public within 12 months after the journal article is published. To comply with this policy, all authors will need to follow the procedures below. 

What You Must Do

Ensure that the publisher will permit deposit of the manuscript in PMC

• Attach the LSUHSC-S amendment to the publisher's agreement.

Submit Your Manuscript

• Be sure to check the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Resources page as well as the Updates to the PublicAccess.nih.gov Web Site for the latest information on the papers to which the NIH Public Access Policy applies.
• The Skill Kit for the NIH Manuscript Submission System provides access to slides, videos, and PDF files demonstrating how to submit manuscripts to PubMed Central, as required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2007.
• Some publishers automatically submit manuscripts to PubMed Central on behalf of authors. View list of journals that do so.
• NIH Manuscript Submission System - submit final peer-reviewed manuscript.
• Ask a librarian for assistance.

Understand special rules for NIH reports, renewals, and new applications

• Effective May 25, 2008, you must include the PMC ID or NIHMS ID numbers for your articles that you cite in your progress reports, new applications, and renewals.
• These are only required for articles accepted for publication on or after April 7, 2008, but you may include PMC ID numbers for articles already in PubMed Central as well. Examples of citations with PMC and NIHMS ID numbers.
• Ask a librarian for assistance.
  

Know the Consequences of Non-Compliance

• What will happen if you do not comply?
• See the NIH Public Access Policy FAQ.

What LSUHSC-S Can Do to Help

Ask a Librarian for Assistance

• Call Donna Timm at ext. 5-5474.
• Send a note outlining your specific question.
• Request a consultation for individualized help.

More Information

• New NLM Public Access Resources Web Page
• Examples of citations with PMC and NIHMS ID numbers
• EndNote instructions for adding PMC and NIHMS ID numbers
• FAQ with answers to many of your questions
• Flowchart with compliance and decision points (Becker Library, Washington University, St. Louis, MO)
• NIH Public Access Policy implementation
• Non-compliance and actions NIH may take
• PubMed Central (PMC) list of journals