Vanderbilt University joins MDPI's Open Access Program

The Hidden Struggles of Early-Career Researchers in Academic Publishing Did you know that early-career researchers face systematic barriers that have nothing to do with the quality of their work? The reality for ECRs: 📉 Low h-index scores, not because of poor research, but simply fewer publications 💰 Funding criteria that require "2+ years post-PhD" regardless of capability 📚 No formal training in peer review processes ⚠️ Precarious job contracts that make long-term planning nearly impossible Your research deserves to be published. Your voice deserves to be heard. The h-index measures citations, but it can't measure potential. It can't measure the innovative ideas you're bringing to your field. Read the full article on the challenges ECRs face: https://brnw.ch/21wX3Zj At MDPI Books we believe the academic publishing landscape should be more accessible to emerging scholars. That's why we created the Early-Career Researcher Prize, to remove barriers and provide the support ECRs need. Apply for the ECR Prize: https://brnw.ch/21wX3Zh #AcademicPublishing #ECRP #ResearchCommunity #OpenScience Philosophies MDPI Publications MDPI

PhD publication requirements - I have seen many posts regarding different approaches taken by UGC vs AICTE (suggested guidelines) regarding publication. I was involved in both the discussions. During my PhD at Univ of California, Berkeley publication was not a mandatory part for submission of thesis. Chairman (UGC) during a meeting with many Vice Chancellors raised this issue whether publication should be mandatory before submission of thesis. His opinion was that working on publication during research work diverts focus from research. So if scholars focus on publication during the period of thesis submission and defence, it will improve the quality of research. I also agreed to this concept. However after trying to implement it in my university, I found a problem. After submission of thesis, they would ignore working on publication. They started focusing on jobs etc. So when we were discussing this in the AICTE task force I agreed to make publication mandatory. There may be a middle way - publication not mandatory for submission but needed before defence. Defence should also be public defence and not closed doors.

#Resourcespotlight - Sponsored research agreements in focus: what you need as a UBC Faculty member to get started! ✅Proposal: Develop a research plan or proposal. ✅Budget: Visit the Budgeting and Indirect Costs page to determine budget (pro tip: indirect costs are calculated as a percentage of direct costs!) ✅Form: Fill out either the Research Project Information Form (RPIF) if UBC is receiving funding, or a Contract Request Form if you are not pursuing funding. Once all signatures have been collected, the faculty member can send the completed documents to our team at sponsoredresearch@innovation.ubc.ca Review the full process in our new easy-to-use journey map for faculty and researchers: https://lnkd.in/gppF4FwC #InnovationUBC #SponsoredResearch #UBC #UBCO #UBCResearch #UBCFaculty #UBCOResearch #ResearchExcellence

We’ve put together a newsletter with the most important things you need to know about the upcoming winter call. 👇 🔹Information on conditions and barriers for granting funding 🔹Two-week deadline for commitment by site of research 🔹Security assessment required as part of the application 🔹Maximum amount for Academy Research Fellowship funding 🔹Eligibility for Academy Research Fellowship determined by calendar year 🔹Changes to restrictions for Academy Project applications 🔹Academy Project applicants encouraged to include doctoral candidates in the research team 🔹Changes to PI’s salary in Academy Projects 🔹Recordings from Ask & Apply call webinars   𝗜𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 👇 🔹RCF to open new call for applications under Finnish Flagship Programme in spring 2026 🔹Redesigned RCF funding for clinical research available in spring 2026 🔹Decisions on new Academy Professors and Centres of Excellence coming 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 ➡ https://lnkd.in/dH2ANPtK #WinterCall #ResearchFunding #FundingOpp #research #science

We are pleased to announce that Contemporary Education and Teaching Research (CETR) (eISSN: 2737-4335 | pISSN: 2737-4203) is now indexed in the BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine) — one of the world’s largest academic databases, hosting over 400 million records from more than 11,000 content providers. Being indexed in BASE marks an important milestone for CETR, enhancing our academic visibility, accessibility, and international impact. Operated by Bielefeld University Library, BASE provides open access to high-quality academic resources worldwide. We invite researchers, educators, and scholars to explore CETR’s publications through BASE and join us in advancing global conversations on education and teaching innovation. Visit Base database: https://lnkd.in/gvfsVQ55 Welcome to submit: https://lnkd.in/eMTAtufF

We’re partnering with two leading UK universities on our new uncapped scheme that promotes a more open, equitable and sustainable system for scientific publishing. This follows the introduction of our open access agreements for institutions to support their researchers in publishing through the eLife Model. We hope to welcome more forward-thinking organisations on board soon – this support is invaluable to our mission to reform research publishing and assessment for all. https://lnkd.in/evqzjwRs

Nature’s latest analysis shows that funding success rates in some major European programs have dropped to single digits. Applications have nearly doubled, but budgets remain the same. This brings in some tough questions for all of us in academia and research. For example: -If almost everyone writes a strong proposal (think about MSCA cutoff scores), how do we decide what truly deserves to be funded? -Should funding agencies prioritize fewer, larger grants, or more, smaller ones? -Are we rewarding the best innovative ideas or the best-written proposals? ... and the list goes on... https://lnkd.in/gc7d2Jgi #ResearchFunding #Academia #SciencePolicy #AIinScience #HigherEducation #Innovation #AcademicLife #MSCA #ERCgrant

Delighted to share that Applied Studies in Innovative Learning and Teaching (ASILT) is now welcoming submissions! ASILT publishes research that advances educational innovation and improvement. The journal focuses on studies addressing practical challenges in teaching and learning across diverse educational contexts and disciplines. The journal welcomes Research Papers, Registered Reports, Short Reviews, and Commentaries. More information: https://lnkd.in/ds-8F9rd

📢 HEC Announces NRPU 2025–26 Research Grants! 🎓✨ The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan invites faculty members from universities and degree-awarding institutions to submit innovative, high-quality research proposals under the National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU) 2025–26. The NRPU is HEC’s flagship research funding program, supporting both basic and applied research that tackles national challenges and contributes to Pakistan’s sustainable socio-economic development. 🔍 Research Grant Categories: 🧪 Basic Research Grant – 30% 💡 Applied Research Grant – 70% HEC encourages proposals aligned with Pakistan’s development priorities and global research trends. 📎 For detailed guidelines, eligibility, and research areas, visit: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gzVa-zeX #BUITEMS #HEC #NRPU #ResearchFunding #Innovation #HigherEducation #PakistanResearch #AcademicExcellence

Workshop on NRPU Proposal Development Organized by ORIC, FAST-NUCES The Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (ORIC), FAST-NUCES, organized a workshop for faculty members and researchers on proposal development for the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) Call 2025–26. A large number of faculty members and researchers from all campuses actively participated in the session. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Muhammad Asif Naeem, Director ORIC, who elaborated on the following key aspects to assist participants in effectively preparing their NRPU proposals: * Application process for NRPU grants * Key requirements, documentation, and HEC financial rules * Strategies to enhance proposal success rates * Insights and examples from successful NRPU projects At the end of the session, the Rector, FAST-NUCES, encouraged faculty members to actively apply for NRPU grants and highlighted the importance of research in the academic and professional growth of faculty and researchers. #FASTNUCES #NRPU #ORIC #Innovation #FASTNUCESISB