For more detailed information see http://www.ohsu.edu/library/scholarlycomm/nihpolicylong.shtml

1. Determine if article falls under the NIH policy. Here is a quick chart that provides more detail: http://becker.wustl.edu/pdf/NIHChart.pdf (PDF). There is also a decision tree to help OHSU researchers comply with this new policy at: http://www.ohsu.edu/library/scholarlycomm/NIHdecisiontree.pdf (PDF) and a PowerPoint overview of what this new policy means to OHSU researchers at http://www.ohsu.edu/library/scholarlycomm/NIHpublicaccess.ppt.

2. Follow copyright laws by retaining the right from publishers to comply with the new law. Confirm that you have the right. Some authors will need to secure the rights with NIH's suggested language:

   "Journal acknowledges that Author retains the right to provide a copy of the final manuscript to the NIH upon acceptance for Journal publication, for public archiving in PubMed Central as soon as possible but no later than 12 months after publication by Journal."

   Some publishers will grant author's permissions upfront.

3. Submit the work to PMC with one of the following options:
   1. Are you publishing your article in one of these journals? See http://publicaccess.nih.gov/submit_process_journals.htm.
      If yes, see #6 below. If no, see 3b.

   2. Who would you prefer submit your article to PubMed Central?
      1. Self-submission (Note: Requires login)
         http://www.nihms.nih.gov/

      2. OHSU Library
         Online submission form or contact Judith Norton (norton@ohsu.edu, 503-494-3499) for more information.

      3. Publisher (other than listed above in 3a).
         Check the publisher's website to see if they offer this service to authors. A quick guide to some publisher's policies: http://www.urmc.edu/hslt/miner/research%5Fand%5Fpublishing/PublishersPoliciesonPubMedCentralMinerLibrary.cfm

4. Approve the submission (for all options under 3b)

5. Verify the submission by checking PubMed within 12 months of publication.

6. Cite the NIH Manuscript Submission system reference number (NIHMS ID) or PubMed Central reference number (PMCID) in future NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports.

April 7, 2008: All articles arising from NIH funds must be submitted to PubMed Central (PMC) upon acceptance for publication under the following conditions: result of any NIH FY 2008 grant accepted for publication on or after April 7; result of any continuing NIH grant that is active in FY 2008 and accepted for publication on or after April 7; and any NIH contract awarded after April 7.

May 25, 2008: All NIH applications, proposals and progress reports must include the PMCID when citing an article that falls under the policy and is authored or co-authored by the investigator. This policy includes applications submitted to the NIH for the May 25, 2008, due date and subsequent due dates. If the PMCID is not yet available, include the NIHMS ID instead.

For general questions on the NIH policy, contact
Emily McElroy at mcelroye@ohsu.edu or 503-494-6659

For someone to come visit your department and discuss the NIH policy in more detail, contact
Andrew Hamilton at hamiltoa@ohsu.edu or 503-494-7527

For questions on copyright or submitting an article into PubMed Central (PMC), contact
Judith Norton at norton@ohsu.edu or 503-494-3499

For more detailed information from OHSU Library see http://www.ohsu.edu/library/scholarlycomm/nihpolicylong.shtml
NIH Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Policy Overview from Association of Research Libraries

Special thanks to Washington University's Becker Medical Library for key information in creating this document.

Back to the top

OHSU Library Privacy Policy

Last updated June 23, 2008 by the OHSU Library Web Managers. Please send comments, questions, and reports of problems to the Library through the customer support form.