Open access publisher PLOS has announced a brand new partnership with the Einstein Foundation Award for Promoting Quality in Research.
PLOS is a longtime advocate for quality in research. However, like the Einstein Foundation Berlin, PLOS has always sought to ensure that the definition of quality is extended beyond more reductive measures – such as venue of publication and the Journal Impact Factor – to signals and behaviors that reflect rigor, reliability, robustness, and transparency.
PLOS is well known for developing policies (e.g. Data Availability Policy), adopting standards (e.g. CRediT), rolling out new features (e.g. protocols), and encouraging behaviors (e.g. preprinting) that support a more rigorous open research ecosystem. But it is always a worthwhile reminder that these activities are never openness for openness’ sake, but are ways to enhance the quality and reliability of research, and, consequently, trust in research.
By establishing a global award to honour individual researchers, as well as collaborations, institutions, and organizations, Einstein Foundation Berlin is making an important statement that rigor, reliability, and transparency are to be recognized and rewarded as they directly influence increased quality in research.
The Einstein Foundation award website contains all the details, including the criteria, categories, eligibility, and a list of the jury and prior winners. The deadline for applications and nominations is April 30, 2022, at 10:00 pm UTC. Winners will be announced in December 2022.
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