The NIH Public Access Policy will take effect on April 7, 2008. As of that date, all articles arising from NIH funds must be submitted to PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication. Some journals will submit articles automatically, but for others authors must submit manuscripts to PubMed Central.

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 policy includes applications submitted to the NIH for the May 25, 2008 due date and subsequent due dates.