NIH made several updates to the NIH Public Access Web page to clarify the submission process.  The Web site explains that there are four methods to ensure that a manuscript is submitted to PubMed Central in compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy. These methods vary based on the version of the paper submitted, and the actions undertaken by the author and publisher.  

Method A: Publish in a journal that deposits all NIH-funded final published articles in PubMed Central (PMC) without author involvement.

Method B: Make arrangements to have a publisher deposit a specific final published article in PubMed Central.

Method C: Deposit the final peer-reviewed manuscript in PMC yourself via the NIH Manuscript Submission System (NIHMS).

Method D: Complete the submission process for a final peer-reviewed manuscript that the publisher has deposited in the NIH Manuscript Submission System (NIHMS).

 

When citing their NIH-funded papers in NIH applications, proposals or progress reports, authors must include the PubMed Central reference number for each paper. For more information see the Frequently Asked Questions, especially:

 

C6. How do I include the PubMed Central reference number in my citations?

 

C7. What do I do if the PubMed Central reference number (PMCID) has not been assigned yet?

 

C8. Do I have to include a PMCID for every paper that I cite in an NIH application, proposal or progress report?

The NIH Public Access Policy ensures that the public has access to the published results of NIH funded research. It requires scientists to submit final peer-reviewed journal manuscripts that arise from NIH funds to the digital archive PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication.  To help advance science and improve human health, the Policy requires that these papers are accessible to the public on PubMed Central no later than 12 months after publication.