1. Purpose
This policy outlines the principles and procedures for accepting sponsorships to support the activities of our journal. It ensures transparency, maintains editorial independence, and upholds the highest ethical standards in line with best practices in scholarly publishing.
2. Definition of Sponsorship
Sponsorship refers to financial or in-kind support provided by external organisations or individuals to assist with journal operations, special issues, events, or open access initiatives.
3. Editorial Independence
Sponsors have no influence over editorial decisions, peer review, or the scientific content of the journal. All editorial processes remain independent and are governed solely by the journal’s editorial team. Sponsored content, if any, is subject to the same rigorous peer review and editorial standards as all other content.
4. Transparency and Disclosure
All sponsorship arrangements will be clearly disclosed on the journal’s website and, where relevant, within published articles or issues. Sponsored content will be clearly labeled, and the sponsor’s role will be explicitly stated. Any potential conflicts of interest arising from sponsorship must be declared by all parties involved.
5. Acceptable Sponsors
Sponsors must align with the mission, values, and ethical standards of the journal. The journal does not accept sponsorship from organisations whose activities could compromise research integrity or public trust (e.g., companies with vested interests in the research outcomes). The journal reserves the right to refuse sponsorship from any entity at its discretion.
6. Terms and Conditions
All sponsorship agreements must be formalised in writing, specifying the scope, duration, and conditions of the sponsorship. Agreements will outline the recognition provided to sponsors (e.g., logo placement, acknowledgments) and procedures for renewal or termination. The responsibilities and expectations of both the journal and the sponsor must be clearly defined.
7. Financial Management
Sponsorship funds will be managed transparently and used strictly for journal-related activities, such as supporting open access, covering publication costs, or funding special projects. All financial arrangements will be documented and available for audit as required.
8. Ethical Compliance
The journal adheres to the ethical guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and other relevant standards. All sponsorship activities must comply with these ethical standards to safeguard research integrity and public trust.
9. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing compliance with ethical guidelines and best practices in scholarly publishing.
By following this sponsorship policy, our journal demonstrates its commitment to ethical publishing, editorial independence, and transparency in all sponsorship activities.
We invite educational therapists, allied health practitioners, instructors, and trainees to submit original research, case studies, and professional insights for publication. Share your expertise and contribute to advancing knowledge and practice in the allied health and educational therapy community.
