Overview of project
There are over 50 preprint servers with a life science focus. These each have different policies, specific focus areas and reach. It is not known how researchers are utilising these different servers. We aim to investigate the preprints hosted across servers, investigate the use and attention preprints receive and determine unique advantages between preprint servers.
Collaborators
- Our current collaborators will be listed here as the project progresses
Funding
Any funding tied to this project will be listed here
Background
Preprints offer numerous benefits to authors in the form of increased attention, citations and impact whilst also increasing equity in publishing. In 2025, the total number of life science preprints exceeded 1 million (data from Europe PMC). With over 50 preprint servers with a life science focus, authors have more choice than ever in where to post their work. Each preprint server has differing governance and ownership models, different rules and policies, different audiences, and different specific focuses.
This project aims to explore the differences between the major preprint servers by investigating the preprints themselves, authors, server policies and screening processes, preprint usage and the integration of additional services across the servers. In doing so, we will provide evidence that authors can use when choosing a preprint server and highlight unique benefits offered by different servers.
Rippling Ideas 