Compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy starts before NIH-funded authors submit an applicable manuscript for peer review. NIH-funded authors are highly encouraged to consider the following points:

• Does the manuscript apply under the NIH Public Access Policy?

• Which NIH grant awards supported the manuscript? Use the NIH Grants Lookup Tool to confirm grant award numbers.

• Which journal will the manuscript be submitted to?

• Which method of submission does the journal fall under? See the NIH chart on submission methods.

• If a Method C or D form of submission journal, which author will be assigned as the responsible author for the review and approval tasks? See the short video: Approving Submission of an Article to PubMed Central which outlines the process for authors in response to an email from NIHMS asking for approval of a submission done by a publisher or third party.

• Which author will be responsible for making sure that the work has a PMCID within three months post publication of the manuscript, and notifying all authors and PIs associated with the manuscript of the most current means of documentation of compliance with the NIH Policy (“PMC Journal – In Process,” or NIHMS ID) until the PMCID is assigned?

Recommendations for authors:

• Review the copyright agreement form to ensure that the publisher allows for NIH-funded authors to comply with the NIH Public Access Policy (what is stated on a journal website is not always noted on the copyright agreement form).

• Keep a copy of the copyright agreement form as signed with the publisher.

• Confirm that all grant awards that supported the manuscript are noted.

• If a Method C form of submission journal: submit (or assign a third party) the peer-reviewed manuscript and follow all the stipulations as set forth by the publisher.

• If a Method D form of submission journal: confirm that the publisher is timely submitting the manuscript and seek clarification on the submission status from the publisher, if necessary.

• If a Method C or D form of submission journal: the designated author assigned as the responsible author for review and approval tasks should complete the tasks upon receipt of emails from NIHMS.

• Confirm that the work has a PMCID within three months post publication of the manuscript.