Public Access Policies

Policy Updates from NIH

NIH has updated its Public Access Policy to go into effect July 1, 2025.

• The 2024 Public Access Policy requires author accepted manuscripts (AAM) accepted for publication in a journal on or after July 1, 2025, be submitted to PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication, for public availability without embargo upon the official date of publication.
  • Immediate public access will be required for author accepted manuscripts. The embargo period has been eliminated. 
  • Final peer-reviewed manuscripts are required to be submitted to PubMed Central.

• NIH Public Access site - NIH's overview of its public access policy with helpful information and instructions for sharing research.
  • NIH Public Access Policy (2024) - Effective July 1, 2025. Includes information related to this policy development.
• NIH FAQs - use this resource for navigating the policy transition, compliance, and admissible fees.
• In-depth guidance from Penn State's Office for Research Protections
• Authors Alliance Updated NIH and Publisher Guidance: What Authors Need to Know about NIH's Public Access Policy (July 18, 2025) - learn more about navigating publisher policies and fees.
• Guide for Authors Complying with U.S. Federal Agency Public Access and Publisher Policies (SPARC)
  SPARC developed this guide to help authors consider potential actions they might take at different stages of the funding lifecycle, along with additional resources they might find helpful.

For awards that have closed before July 1, 2025, or manuscripts that were accepted for publication before July 1, 2025, the 2008 NIH Public Access Policy applies. The 2008 Public Access Policy allows a 12-month embargo period for public access after the official date of publication.