These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are intended to help members of the Harvard University community understand the NIH Public Access Policy and its implementation, effective July 1, 2025. Researchers are directed to review the text of the Policy and the NIH’s Supplemental Guidance on Publication Costs and the Government Use License and Rights. 

Have questions? Get guidance at Harvard:

Quick Policy Scope & Key Requirements

  • Free Compliance: Authors do not have to pay a fee to comply with the Policy. 

  • Author Accepted Manuscript: The Policy applies to the Author Accepted Manuscript, or author’s final version that has been accepted for publication in a journal that meets NIH’s criteria. 

  • PubMed Central: Authors must submit the Author Accepted Manuscript to PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication. 

  • No Embargo: Author Accepted Manuscripts deposited in PubMed Central must be made publicly available no later than the article’s official date of publication, eliminating the previous 12-month embargo. 

  • Effective Date: The Policy applies to any Author Accepted Manuscript resulting from NIH funding that has been accepted for publication on or after July 1, 2025. Upon the Effective Date, this Policy replaces the one from 2008. 

 

Policy Overview

Common Concerns