Apply for certification
Every journal with DOIs at Crossref or a record in OpenAlex is already indexed by POSI. Certification is the next step: an evidence-based evaluation that admits the journal to the Core Collection (30 journals today). Applying is free.
Indexed
Automatic, no application
- Searchable journal page and publications
- Ranked in POSI Rankings when citation data is sufficient
- Authors can issue certificates of indexing
Core Collection
Certified after PQF evaluation
- Everything in Indexed
- Curated POSI record with published evidence and PQF report
- Lifecycle rating (AJR) within a subject peer cohort
- Marked as Core in rankings, publications and certificates
- POSI badges and certificate of certification for the journal
Eligibility
- Indexed: DOIs registered with Crossref, or a source record in OpenAlex
- Actively publishing, with a public journal website
- Peer review process documented publicly
- Editorial board listed with verifiable affiliations
- Fees disclosed, or no charges stated explicitly. Any business model is fine if disclosed
- Publication ethics, corrections and retraction policies public
Not eligible
- Discontinued or inactive journals
- Undisclosed or unverifiable editorial board
- False claims of indexing in DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science or PubMed
What is evaluated
| PQF factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Journal transparency | 25 |
| Metadata quality | 25 |
| Editorial governance | 20 |
| Technical discoverability | 15 |
| Citation visibility | 10 |
| Research integrity | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Certification is re-assessed every year. A journal may ask for an early review after documented improvements.
Process
Apply
Today
Send the application below with links to your public policy pages.
Acknowledge
2 to 3 business days
POSI confirms receipt and checks that the journal is indexed and eligible.
Evaluate
10 to 15 business days
Every PQF criterion is checked against public evidence. POSI may ask for clarification.
Decide
3 to 5 business days
You receive the decision and a criterion-level evidence report, whatever the outcome.