{"id":3313,"date":"2021-08-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pl-asapbio.local\/arc\/"},"modified":"2025-03-28T21:31:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T21:31:23","slug":"arc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asapbio.org\/arc\/","title":{"rendered":"Urging the Australian Research Council to revise its preprint policies"},"content":{"rendered":"

We sent the list of signatories below to the ARC on September 3, 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Australian Research Council (ARC) does not allow researchers to cite preprints in their grant applications and recently disqualified a number of applications<\/a> for this reason.  <\/p>\n

Preprints<\/a> advance scientific discovery and are encouraged by many funders<\/a>, including Australia\u2019s National Health and Medical Research Council<\/a>. 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\u2019s research outputs.<\/p>\n

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 (jessica.polka@asapbio.org<\/a>) if you would like assistance in hosting an event for your community. You can also sign other open letters: one<\/a> drafted by Australian researchers to encourage the ARC to reconsider its preprint policies, and a second<\/a> encouraging the same as well as eligibility extension and policy simplification. <\/p>\n

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Pledge<\/h3>\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Signatories<\/h3>\n

This list is updated from entries to the form below. Please contact jessica.polka@asapbio.org<\/a> with any questions or issues. To add your name, please complete the form below.<\/p>\n

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