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Embo trials use of preprints for awarding postdoc fellowships

   

European molecular biology organisation says move is intended to “strengthen support of young scientists”

The European molecular biology organisation Embo is trying out a more lenient requirement around the publication record of applicants for its postdoctoral fellowships, in a move it says is intended to help young researchers in fast-moving fields.

For a four-month trial, Embo will allow researchers to be eligible for its postdoc fellowships if they have only a refereed preprint of a first-author paper in their publication history, rather than a paper that has been accepted for full publication by a journal.

Publication of preprints of papers before they have been accepted by a journal has become increasingly popular in recent years, to help share and lay claim to results quickly.

Announcing the move on 25 April, Embo said it was “further strengthening its support of young scientists who need to demonstrate their peer-reviewed research output as soon as possible”.

Embo has allowed primary research papers published on preprint servers to be considered in applications for the fellowships in the past, but a published or accepted first-author publication in an international peer-reviewed journal was still an eligibility requirement.

Four-month trial

The trial will run from 25 April until the close of the autumn selection cycle on 12 August.

The refereed preprints must include the preprint, reviewer reports and the author’s response to those reports.

A preprint with in-depth peer reviews on a “trusted” and “independent” peer review platform will be enough to meet the eligibility requirements, Embo said.

Informal comments, highlights and reviews will be excluded from the trial.