API Terms of Service

Last updated: March 1, 2026

These API Terms of Service ("API Terms") govern your access to and use of the Elicit API, including all associated documentation, software development kits, sample code, and related materials (collectively, the "API"). By accessing or using the API, clicking "I Agree," or creating an API key, you agree to be bound by these API Terms.

These API Terms supplement the Elicit Terms of Service for Authorized Users (the "Platform TOS"), which is incorporated by reference. Your use of the API is subject to both these API Terms and the Platform TOS. If there is a conflict between these API Terms and the Platform TOS, the Platform TOS controls except where these API Terms specifically address API-related matters. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings in the Platform TOS.

1. API Access and Eligibility

1.1 Eligibility. The API is available only to users with an active Teams, Pro, or Enterprise subscription to the Elicit Platform who opt in to API access. You must be in good standing under the Platform TOS to access the API. If your Platform subscription terminates or is suspended, your API access terminates immediately.

1.2 Purpose. The API provides programmatic access to Elicit platform features at scale, including paper search and research report generation. You may use the API solely for internal purposes that support workflows related to scientific research within your organization. You may not use the API to build commercial applications or products for external distribution.

1.3 Access Credentials. Elicit will issue you API keys to authenticate requests. You will keep your API keys confidential and not share, publish, or embed them in client-side code or public repositories. You are responsible for all activity under your API keys. You may create, manage, and revoke multiple keys from your account settings.

1.4 Rate Limits. Your API access is subject to the following rate limits based on your subscription plan:

• Pro users: 100 papers per search request and 100 search requests per day

• Teams users: 200 papers per search request and 200 search requests per day

• Report generation: Limited by your overall Elicit workflow quota

Rate limits are enforced at the account level using a rolling 24-hour window. If you exceed rate limits, requests will be blocked and return an error message until the window resets. Do not attempt to circumvent rate limits, including by creating multiple accounts.

1.5 Employees. If you are an entity, you may share Access Credentials with your employees solely for internal use, provided that: (a) each person is bound by written confidentiality terms at least as protective as this Agreement; and (b) you remain liable for any breach by those individuals.

2. Personal Data Prohibition

You are expressly prohibited from submitting Personal Data to the API under any circumstances. Personal Data includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, addresses, government identification numbers, financial account numbers, health information, biometric data, or any other information that identifies or could reasonably identify a specific individual. Elicit does not screen for Personal Data. You are solely responsible for ensuring that the obligations in this section are complied with. Any submission of Personal Data is a material breach of this Agreement and may result in immediate termination of your API access.

3. Acceptable Use

3.1 Permitted Use. You may use the API solely for internal purposes that support scientific research workflows within your organization. This includes programmatic paper searches, report generation, and integration with your internal research tools and processes.

3.2 Prohibited Uses. In addition to the prohibited uses in the Platform TOS, you will not:

(a) build, offer, or distribute any commercial application, product, or service using the API or its outputs to third parties outside your organization;

(b) use the API, its outputs, or any data obtained through the API to train, fine-tune, evaluate, or improve any machine learning model or AI system;

(c) systematically query the API to download, replicate, or reconstruct the Elicit paper corpus or any substantial portion of it;

(d) use the API or its outputs for advertising, marketing, or ad-targeting purposes;

(e) use the API in any automated decision-making system that produces legal or significant effects on individuals without meaningful human review, notice to affected individuals, and a mechanism to contest decisions;

(f) use the API to generate content designed to mislead or deceive, including disinformation, spam, phishing, or fraudulent content;

(g) use the API to impersonate individuals or create synthetic media designed to deceive;

(h) use the API for surveillance, behavioral profiling, or biometric identification without informed consent and lawful basis;

(i) use the API for any illegal purpose or in violation of applicable law;

(j) exceed or circumvent rate limits; or

(k) use any Elicit name, logo, trademark, or brand asset without Elicit's prior written consent.

3.3 Automated Systems. If you integrate the API into an AI agent or automated pipeline that calls the API without a human initiating each request: (a) you are responsible for all API activity generated by that system; (b) all restrictions, if any, in this Agreement and the Platform TOS apply to automated calls; (c) implement safeguards to prevent runaway loops or excessive API calls; and (d) be able to promptly disable the system's API access if Elicit notifies you of a concern.

3.4 Caching. You may cache API outputs for up to 30 days to support your workflows. Pre-signed download URLs for reports expire after 7 days. Delete cached outputs upon expiration or termination of this Agreement.

4. API Outputs

4.1 AI-Generated Content. Some API outputs will be generated by artificial intelligence and you are solely responsible for evaluating and verifying outputs before use or reliance. Elicit does not warrant accuracy, completeness, or reliability.

4.2 Non-Deterministic. The API may produce different outputs for identical inputs. Elicit does not guarantee consistency or reproducibility.

4.3 Model Changes. Elicit uses multiple models to generate API outputs. Models and their behavior may change without notice.

4.4 No Professional Advice. API outputs do not constitute professional advice of any kind. Do not treat outputs as professional advice without appropriate disclaimers and independent professional review.

4.5 Preview Status. The API is currently in preview. Features and behaviors may change without notice. Do not expect continuity between the preview and any future release.

5. Modifications and Availability

5.1 Changes to the API. Elicit may modify or discontinue the API or any feature at any time. Elicit will use reasonable efforts to provide 14 days' notice before any such action, and will maintain related versions for 90 days, but may make changes without notice for security, legal, or safety reasons.

5.2 No Guaranteed Availability. Elicit does not guarantee that the API will be available without interruption or error.

6. Confidentiality

"Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other that is designated as confidential or would reasonably be understood to be confidential. This includes API documentation, technical specifications, and business information. The receiving party will: (a) use Confidential Information only for purposes of this Agreement; (b) not disclose Confidential Information to third parties without the disclosing party's prior consent; and (c) protect Confidential Information using at least the same care it uses for its own confidential information. The receiving party may disclose Confidential Information if required by law, provided it gives reasonable prior notice where permitted.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Elicit IP. Elicit retains all rights in the API, underlying models, algorithms, technology, and all Elicit materials.

7.2 Your Inputs. You retain ownership of what you submit to the API ("Input Data," which has the same meaning as "User Materials" under the Platform TOS). You grant Elicit a license to use your inputs solely to provide the API service and to maintain and improve the API, including but not limited to  using your inputs to train AI models.

7.3 Outputs. Ownership of API outputs ("Elicit Content," which has the same meaning as "Output" under the Platform TOS) follows the ownership provisions in the Platform TOS. Subject to your compliance with this Agreement, you may use API outputs for your permitted internal purposes.

7.4 Feedback. If you provide feedback about the API, Elicit may use it without restriction or compensation.

8. Security

8.1 Security Incidents. Report any security deficiency, vulnerability, intrusion, or data breach that could affect the API or Elicit's systems to security@elicit.com within 24 hours of discovery. Cooperate with Elicit to remediate immediately. Do not make public statements about any Security Incident involving the API without Elicit's prior written consent.

8.2 Security Measures. Implement security measures proportionate to your use of the API and the sensitivity of data processed. Protect against unauthorized access, loss, or destruction of API outputs and comply with applicable data privacy laws.

9. Warranties and Disclaimers

The warranties and disclaimers in the Platform TOS apply to your use of the API. In addition:

THE API AND ALL OUTPUTS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. YOU USE THE API AT YOUR OWN RISK. ELICIT DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE API WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE, OR THAT OUTPUTS WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE.

10. Limitation of Liability

The limitation of liability provisions in the Platform TOS apply to your use of the API.

11. Indemnification

The indemnification provisions in the Platform TOS apply to your use of the API. You will indemnify Elicit for any claims arising from your use of the API, your breach of these API Terms, or any application you develop using the API.

12. Term and Termination

12.1 Term. This Agreement is effective when you first access the API and continues until your Platform subscription terminates or until this Agreement is otherwise terminated.

12.2 Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time. Elicit may suspend or terminate your API access immediately if you breach this Agreement. The termination provisions in the Platform TOS apply to termination of API access.

12.3 Effect of Termination. Upon termination: (a) your license to use the API terminates immediately; (b) you will stop using the API; and (c) you will delete any cached API outputs within 30 days.

12.4 Survival. Sections 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13 survive termination.

13. General Provisions

13.1 Relationship to Platform TOS. These API Terms supplement the Platform TOS. Both agreements govern your use of the API. The Platform TOS controls except where these API Terms specifically address API-related matters (including the restrictions in Sections 2 and 3, rate limits in Section 1.4, and security incident reporting in Section 8.1).

13.2 Dispute Resolution. Disputes arising from your use of the API are governed by the dispute resolution provisions in the Platform TOS, including mandatory arbitration for users in the United States and litigation in San Francisco County, California for non-US users or non-arbitrable disputes.

13.3 Claims Limitation Period. Any claim arising from your use of the API must be filed within one year after the claim arose, consistent with the Platform TOS.

13.4 Modifications. Elicit may modify these API Terms at any time by posting updated terms and providing notice of the same. Material changes will be effective 30 days after notice. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

13.5 Assignment. You may not assign this Agreement without Elicit's consent.

13.6 Entire Agreement. These API Terms, together with the Platform TOS and any applicable Enterprise Agreement, constitute the entire agreement regarding the API.

13.7 Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary, and remaining provisions remain in effect.

13.8 No Waiver. Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver.

13.9 Notices. Notices to Elicit go to legal@elicit.com. Notices to you go to your account email.

13.10 Export Compliance. Comply with all applicable export and sanctions laws. Do not access the API from any embargoed country.

13.11 Force Majeure. Neither party is liable for delays or failures due to causes beyond reasonable control.