As of July 1, 2025, the 2024 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-047.html) will apply to all articles accepted for publication, impacting researchers who receive NIH funding. This policy update requires a thorough understanding of the revised requirements to ensure compliance and avoid potential consequences on future funding opportunities.
A significant change in the 2024 policy is the elimination of the embargo period, which previously allowed for the delay of article availability in PubMed Central for up to 12 months. Under the new policy, articles must be made available in PubMed Central immediately upon acceptance for publication. As a result, researchers are advised to verify the publication policies of their chosen journals to ensure compliance with the new requirement and to avoid any embargo periods.
To support the UF research community, the University Libraries have developed a comprehensive guide to the NIH Public Access Policy and Manuscript Submission (University Libraries’ NIH Public Access Policy and Manuscript Submission). This resource provides essential policy information, step-by-step guidance on PubMed Central submission, and additional tools to facilitate compliance. Researchers are encouraged to consult this guide for up-to-date information.
Additionally, the University Libraries are hosting a workshop on July 18th at noon to provide further guidance on navigating the NIH Public Access Policy and Manuscript Submission process. Researchers can register for the workshop at https://libcal.uflib.ufl.edu/event/14581735.
The UF Academic Research Computing & Services (ARCS) team also offers a suite of services to support researchers in meeting the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy requirements. The team provides a basic data management service to all sponsored programs subject to the policy, as well as additional services for projects requiring more advanced support. More information on these services can be found on the ARCS website.
To ensure a smooth transition, researchers are invited to consult with Terry Selfe, Translational Research Librarian, for personalized guidance on navigating the NIH Public Access Policy and Manuscript Submission process. By staying informed and taking proactive steps, UF researchers can effectively meet the policy requirements and maintain their eligibility for NIH funding.