Updates to the 2024 NIH Public Access Policy
Key Items to Note:
- The NIH has accelerated the timeline for implementation of its revised Public Access Policy. The Policy is in effect as of July 1, 2025.
- Under the policy, manuscripts accepted for publication on or after July 1, 2025 must be submitted to PubMed Central for public availability without embargo (zero embargo) upon the official publication date.
- Researchers should consult with individual journals to determine what is expected from authors to comply with the NIH Public Access Policy.
Consult federal funding agency websites directly when preparing grant proposals, as details and effective dates may vary.
Dear Colleagues,
As we continue to support the research community in navigating quickly evolving federal requirements, I write to share important updates regarding the 2024 NIH Public Access Policy.
In June of 2024, the NIH released a new 2024 NIH Public Access Policy following a period of comments and revisions. The original effective date for this policy was December 31, 2025. On April 30, 2025, the NIH accelerated the timeline for implementation of its revised Public Access Policy, so that it goes into full effect as of July 1, 2025. All other aspects of the 2024 Public Access Policy remain the same.
Under the policy, manuscripts accepted for publication in a journal on or after July 1, 2025, that include NIH-funded research must be submitted to PubMed Central for public availability without embargo (zero embargo) upon the official publication date. The NIH defines the official date of publication as “the date on which the Final Published Article is first made available in final, edited form, whether in print or electronic (i.e., online) format.”
Because some journals have public access and self-archiving policies that are not aligned with the current NIH policy, they may charge article processing (APCs) or other fees. Researchers are strongly encouraged to contact journals directly to determine compliance and any potential fees. The NIH provides guidance on publication costs related to the public access policy and has recently announced plans to cap those costs starting in FY26 (October 1). Depending on the journal and its policies, this may have financial implications for researchers and universities.
Importantly, the zero embargo does not apply to manuscripts from closed awards even if they are accepted for publication on or after July 1. These papers remain subject to the 12-month embargo.
Helpful Resources
To assist with compliance, NIH has launched a new Public Access Policy website, which includes a policy overview, supplemental guidance, submission tips for PubMed Central, contact information, and FAQs.
Yale’s Medical Library is also offering ongoing online training sessions to help researchers navigate the policy. Please visit the Classes and Events page for dates and times. A video presentation and accompanying resources are also available on the Yale University Library Research Guides.
Other federal funding agencies will post their own public access policies as they are finalized. Please consult their websites directly when preparing grant proposals, as details and effective dates may vary.
For the most up-to-date information relating to federally funded research, please consult the Research Guidance section of the Federal Administration Transition website. You may wish to bookmark the page. To receive an email when major updates are posted to the site, subscribe to the "Federally Funded Research Update" using the Yale Email Subscriptions service.
Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing research and scholarship, and your flexibility in adapting to a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. We hope the resources outlined above will be helpful as you work to ensure compliance with these changes.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Crair
Vice Provost for Research