Funding

Discipline(s): All

NIH launched the NIH Preprint Pilot in 2020 to explore how inclusion of preprints in PMC and PubMed could accelerate the discoverability and impact of NIH-funded research. A 2016 NIH request for information found that preprints can speed dissemination, increase transparency, and establish priority of discovery. Preprints can also facilitate distribution of research results and related data that are not formally published. Preprints are complete, public drafts of scientific documents that are not yet peer reviewed.

NIH recognized the potential of preprints, predicting in the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 that they will accelerate clinical research and shorten the evidence-to-practice cycle. The use of preprints in communicating biomedical research surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 3,500 preprints added to NLM literature databases. Phase 1 of the Preprint Pilot found that inclusion of preprints broadened access to NIH research, accelerating access by more than 100 days on average. Users reported increased trust due to greater transparency offered by preprint sharing into the research process. To prepare for Phase 2, NLM is taking steps to more clearly communicate what preprints are, their peer review status, and why they are included in NLM literature resources. Additionally, they are exploring new strategies for presenting the record of versions in our literature databases and reviewing filter options to support different search and discovery workflows.

We look forward to engaging with you throughout the year to hear your perspectives around preprints. Your feedback is always welcome at pmc-preprints@nlm.nih.gov.