Program Overview
The Paperleap Research Spotlight Award recognizes outstanding scholarly work and brings it into the public eye. The primary objective of the award is to make research findings accessible to the general public, helping bridge the gap between academic scholarship and everyday society, and engaging broader audiences in the scientific discourse, across disciplines.
The Research Spotlight Award is an initiative dedicated to conference chairs and journal editors. They select outstanding scholarly work and we present them in clear, accessible formats for a wider audience. By doing this, the award ensures that important discoveries are communicated in a way that inspires collaboration, accelerates knowledge transfer, and demonstrates the real-world relevance of academic work.
Simultaneously, we promote partner conference chairs and journal editors.
What we look for
The award is open to papers presented at or published through partner academic conferences and journals. Eligible works must demonstrate both academic rigor and the ability to connect with broader audiences. Winning papers are evaluated on:
- Scientific excellence, including originality, rigor, and contribution to the field.
- Interdisciplinary impact such as a potential to bridge disciplines and foster collaboration.
- Accessibility, determined as the ability of the general audience to grasp key findings.
- Relevance and societal impact such as alignment with pressing scientific, technological, or societal challenges.
Benefits for partnering organizers and editors
The Research Spotlight Award is designed as an additional award that conference chairs and journal editors can present to their authors.
Added value for authors
Offering the Research Spotlight Award demonstrates commitment to supporting authors in maximizing the impact of their work. This strengthens the reputation of the conference or journal as a platform that actively promotes both scientific excellence and public engagement.
Increased promotion and visibility
By having selected papers featured through the Research Spotlight Award, conferences and journals gain amplified exposure across Paperleap's blog, podcast, and social channels extending their reach to audiences beyond academia.
Support without added burden
Paperleap provides the editorial support, media production, and promotion, for free. Organizers and editors only need to nominate the paper, making participation simple and efficient.
Contribution to societal impact
By helping research reach the general public, partner conferences and journals demonstrate a commitment to bridging science and society.
Benefits for authors
Award recipients receive:
- Feature article: a professionally written summary published on the Paperleap blog, designed to be accessible to both specialists and general readers.
- Podcast episode an in-depth conversation with the authors on the PaperLeap Podcast, sharing the story and impact of the research.
- Promotion across Paperleap's newsletters, social media, and partner networks.
- Digital award an official award certificate.
Selected works might be eligible for an extended podcast episode, consisting of an in-depth conversation with the authors on the Paperleap podcast, sharing the story and impact of the research.
Partnership and selection process
The Research Spotlight Award is offered by Paperleap to partnering organizers and editors that decide to take advantage of this opportunity.
- Journal editors/conference chairs partner with Paperleap BEFORE publication: it's free and fast.
- Journal editors/conference chairs nominate papers. Up to two paper per conference or journal issue may be submitted. Each nomination must include the final version of the paper, a short justification (2–3 sentences) highlighting why the work deserves recognition, and author information.
- Nominations are reviewed collaboratively by Paperleap's editorial board, in collaboration with the nominating editor or conference chair.
- Upon the decision of Paperleap's editorial board, the nominating editor or conference chair announce the awardee.
- The authors receive the award and are featured by Paperleap.
The Paperleap editorial team reserves the right not to publish nominated work if it does not meet the requirements.