We sent the list of signatories below to the ARC on September 3, 2021.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) does not allow researchers to cite preprints in their grant applications and recently disqualified a number of applications for this reason.
Preprints advance scientific discovery and are encouraged by many funders, including Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council. Citation of any source, regardless of its peer review status, is essential for proper attribution of ideas, and prohibiting the citation of preprints prevents applicants from discussing and building on the latest science. Further, listing preprints as evidence of productivity allows reviewers to develop an accurate picture of an applicant’s research outputs.
On August 31, we will send the list of signatories below to the ARC along with an offer to provide more information about preprints in the life sciences that can inform their review of their policy. We are also happy to support Australian researchers, librarians, editors, and other stakeholders in having conversations about preprints. Please get in touch with Jessica Polka ([email protected]) if you would like assistance in hosting an event for your community. You can also sign other open letters: one drafted by Australian researchers to encourage the ARC to reconsider its preprint policies, and a second encouraging the same as well as eligibility extension and policy simplification.
Pledge
We ask the Australian Research Council (ARC) to revise its policies and allow preprints to be cited anywhere other research products are included in application materials. Until this change enables the accurate evaluation of applications, we will decline invitations to peer review for ARC.
Signatories
This list is updated from entries to the form below. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or issues. To add your name, please complete the form below.
We sent the list of signatories below to the ARC on September 3, 2021.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) does not allow researchers to cite preprints in their grant applications and recently disqualified a number of applications for this reason.
Preprints advance scientific discovery and are encouraged by many funders, including Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council. Citation of any source, regardless of its peer review status, is essential for proper attribution of ideas, and prohibiting the citation of preprints prevents applicants from discussing and building on the latest science. Further, listing preprints as evidence of productivity allows reviewers to develop an accurate picture of an applicant’s research outputs.
On August 31, we will send the list of signatories below to the ARC along with an offer to provide more information about preprints in the life sciences that can inform their review of their policy. We are also happy to support Australian researchers, librarians, editors, and other stakeholders in having conversations about preprints. Please get in touch with Jessica Polka ([email protected]) if you would like assistance in hosting an event for your community. You can also sign other open letters: one drafted by Australian researchers to encourage the ARC to reconsider its preprint policies, and a second encouraging the same as well as eligibility extension and policy simplification.
Pledge
We ask the Australian Research Council (ARC) to revise its policies and allow preprints to be cited anywhere other research products are included in application materials. Until this change enables the accurate evaluation of applications, we will decline invitations to peer review for ARC.
Signatories
This list is updated from entries to the form below. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or issues. To add your name, please complete the form below.