The XSci Open Review Competition 2026 is open until 30 November.
Up to 100 preprints get a free review from an independent human expert in the field, who we pay $200 to answer the question every author wants answered: does this paper have the potential to be published in the journal or conference I am aiming at? If the answer is yes, the paper becomes an XSci Peer-Certified Preprint, and with the expert's report made public, the submitting author receives the $500 XSci Open Review Award 2026.
Papers already published in journals or in conference proceedings are not eligible; papers posted as preprints are. If your paper is under review, please check the venue's policies on dual submission and double-blind reviewing before entering, bearing in mind that the expert sees the authors' names and that the report is published by default.
You keep all rights and can submit the paper anywhere, at any time. You see the expert's report 48 hours before anyone else and can take it down free of charge.
Up to 60 places go to strong entries as they arrive, so earlier is better.
Rules and entry: https://xsci.com/competition