What Is a PMCID? How to Find, Obtain, and Use It
A PMCID (PubMed Central ID) is a unique identifier assigned to articles archived in PubMed Central, used to demonstrate compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy.
For biomedical researchers—particularly those funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—understanding how to work with a PMCID is not optional. It’s a critical part of grant reporting, biosketch preparation, and ensuring compliance with public access policies.
This article offers a comprehensive overview of the PMCID (PubMed Central Identifier), how it differs from PMID and DOI, how to locate it, and when and why it's required. References to authoritative tools and policies are provided to support practical use.
PMCID Meaning: What Is a PMCID?
PMCID stands for PubMed Central Identifier. It is a unique reference number assigned to articles archived in PubMed Central (PMC)—the NIH’s free full-text repository of biomedical and life sciences literature.
PMCID is used to confirm that a scientific article has been made publicly accessible, which is a requirement under NIH’s Public Access Policy. Only articles in PMC are assigned a PMCID.
PMCID is not the same as PMID, which only points to the citation on PubMed. A PMCID ensures that the article’s full text is accessible via PMC, which is a crucial requirement for researchers funded by NIH and other participating agencies.
Why Is the PMCID Important?
If your research was funded by the NIH or other agencies under the Public Access Policy, you must ensure that your peer-reviewed manuscripts are deposited in PMC and assigned a PMCID.
You’ll need to include PMCIDs:
- When submitting grant applications, renewals, or progress reports
- To demonstrate compliance with funding mandates
- When citing articles resulting from NIH-funded research
Failure to provide PMCID numbers where required may delay or negatively impact funding decisions.
PMCID vs. PMID vs. DOI
While PMCID, PMID, and DOI all serve as article identifiers, they are not interchangeable. Each serves a distinct function within the scholarly publishing ecosystem.
| Identifier | Stands For | What It Refers To | Where It's Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMCID | PubMed Central ID | Full-text version in PMC | NIH public access compliance |
| PMID | PubMed ID | Citation record on PubMed | General reference and search |
| DOI | Digital Object Identifier | Permanent link to article online | Journal publication, citation |
- PMCID is assigned only when a full article is deposited in PMC.
- PMID is a citation number in PubMed, used for indexing but not tied to full-text access.
- DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a persistent link used across digital publishing platforms, managed by CrossRef or the publisher.
For NIH-funded researchers, only PMCID satisfies grant and progress report requirements.
When Do You Need a PMCID?
You are required to have a PMCID for a publication if all of the following apply:
- The article is peer-reviewed.
- It was accepted for publication after April 7, 2008.
- It results from NIH or other participating agency funding.
- It was published in a scientific journal.
This applies whether you are:
- The PI (Principal Investigator)
- A co-author on the paper
- A trainee supported by the grant
These identifiers are commonly required in:
- NIH Biosketches (Section C: Contributions to Science)
- NIH RPPRs (Research Performance Progress Reports)
- My Bibliography in NCBI systems
Failure to include PMCID where required can result in delayed grant processing or rejection of progress reports.
How to Find a PMCID?
There are several methods to locate a PMCID depending on the information you already have (e.g., PMID, DOI, or article title).
PubMed
- Visit PubMed
- Search for your article by title or author
- If available, the PMCID will appear in the “Publication Types, MeSH Terms” section or below the abstract.
Use the NIH PMCID Converter
The PMID–PMCID–DOI Converter Tool provided by the NIH allows you to input one type of identifier and retrieve the corresponding others (if available).
This tool is especially useful for:
- Batch conversions
- Compliance checking
- Manuscript tracking
NIH Manuscript Submission System (NIHMS)
- Authors can use NIHMS to submit manuscripts and obtain PMCIDs.
- The NIHMS ID may appear first. Once processing is complete, the final PMCID will be assigned.
NCBI’s My Bibliography Tool
- NIH investigators can use My Bibliography to manage citations and check compliance status.
- This tool helps track which publications need PMCID and which are compliant.
Europe PMC
- Use Europe PMC to search for articles and access citation information, including PMCID.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PMCID?
If a journal deposits content directly into PMC (Method A or B), the PMCID is usually available within a few weeks of publication.
If the author submits the manuscript via NIHMS (Method C or D), it may take up to 12 weeks after final approval for the PMCID to appear, depending on manuscript revisions and approvals.
How Is a PMCID Assigned?
Articles published in journals that participate in NIH’s Method A (automatic submission to PMC) will be archived by the publisher, and a PMCID is automatically generated.
For other journals, authors may be responsible for submission via the NIH Manuscript Submission (NIHMS) System. The process involves:
- Logging in using an eRA Commons or NCBI account
- Uploading the accepted manuscript
- Reviewing formatting and proofing content
- Final approval by author
- Assignment of PMCID once fully processed
A detailed guide on NIHMS workflows is available here.
Citing Articles with PMCID
Use the following format in your NIH grant proposals and reports:
- Journal article citation followed by:
PMCID: PMCxxxxxxx
Example:
Smith J, Lee M. Role of Genetic Markers in Cancer Therapy. Cancer Res. 2023;83(12):2456–2463. PMCID: PMC10012345
If the PMCID is not yet available, and the article was recently accepted, use the NIHMSID instead:
NIHMSID: NIHMS123456
But remember to replace it with the PMCID once assigned.
Journal Submission and PMCID Compliance
There are four methods for ensuring compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy:
| Method | Description | PMCID Automatically Assigned? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Journal deposits all articles to PMC | Yes |
| B | Journal deposits selected articles | Yes |
| C | Author submits final peer-reviewed manuscript via NIHMS | No (assigned after approval) |
| D | Publisher deposits final manuscript on behalf of author | No (assigned after approval) |
NIH provides a searchable list of compliant journals here. Choosing a compliant journal can streamline compliance and avoid manual submissions.
PMCID Compliance Tips
- Track your manuscripts via NCBI’s My Bibliography to ensure they are compliant.
- Confirm journal participation in Method A/B before submitting.
- Submit early to avoid delays in grant progress reporting.
- Avoid confusion: PMCID ≠ PMID ≠ DOI. Only PMCID demonstrates NIH compliance.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- PMCID is mandatory for NIH-funded research publications.
- Use the correct identifier when citing in grants and progress reports.
- Ensure you or your publisher submit manuscripts to PMC.
- Use tools like My Bibliography, PubMed, and NIHMS to track PMCID status.
Conclusion
Understanding the role and function of PMCID is essential for maintaining compliance with NIH funding policies. It is not interchangeable with PMID or DOI and plays a distinct role in validating that your research is accessible via PubMed Central.
Researchers are strongly encouraged to track PMCID assignments proactively, use available tools such as the NIH Converter, and ensure that all relevant articles meet public access requirements. Proper management of PMCID-related information not only supports administrative compliance but also enhances the visibility and long-term impact of your research.
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FAQs
What does PMCID stand for and how is it different from PMID?
PMCID (PubMed Central Identifier) refers to articles in PubMed Central with full-text access, whereas PMID (PubMed Identifier) refers to articles indexed in PubMed. PMCID is used for compliance with NIH’s Public Access Policy; PMID is not.
How can I find a PMCID using a DOI or PMID?
Use the official NIH PMCID Converter or search the article in PubMed Central by title. If the article has been submitted to PMC, the PMCID will be listed.
Does a DOI count as PMCID for NIH reports?
No. A DOI is not equivalent to a PMCID. NIH requires a valid PMCID for compliance if the publication resulted from NIH funding.
What if my article does not have a PMCID but is NIH-funded?
If the article qualifies under the public access policy but lacks a PMCID, you must submit it through NIHMS. Once approved and formatted, a PMCID will be issued.
Can I add PMCID to existing EndNote citations?
Yes. Use PubMed import filters that include PMCID or manually input the identifier into a custom field. You may need to edit your output style to display PMCID in reference lists.
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