Both young and experienced scientists need to publish scientific articles. They are necessary for starting a scientific career (obtaining scientific degrees and academic titles), its further development, and also provide an opportunity to make yourself known to the scientific community. Q1 and Q2 journals are among the most authoritative in the world. Today, we will look at how being published in such journals affects the receipt of scholarships and grants for scientists.
Journal quartiles: What are they?
A journal quartile (Q) is an indicator used to assess the influence of a scientific journal within a particular discipline or field. The most important factor for this is the citation rate, which reflects the journal's activity and the level of interest in it in society.
Journals are divided into 4 groups by quartiles:
- Q1 (first quartile) – the highest level of journals that have the greatest influence in the scientific community
- Q2 (second quartile) – high-quality publications that rank high in terms of citation rates
- Q3 (third quartile) – the middle category of journals that are well-known and respected among professionals
- Q4 (fourth quartile) – journals with a lower citation rate, but which often serve as a platform for young scientists
What is a Q1 journal?
Q1 journals are in the first quartile in their respective subject categories in terms of citation rates. These journals comprise the top 25% of the most influential and authoritative publications in the world. Publication in such publications will testify to the high quality of scientific research and will also significantly increase the author's scientometrics indicators (total number of publications, citation index, Hirsch index, etc.).
What is a Q2 journal?
Q2 journals belong to the second quartile and include publications that are in the next 25% in the citation ranking and are among the top 50% of the most authoritative publications. Publications in Q2 journals also have high scientific value.
How does publication in Q1 and Q2 contribute to obtaining a grant?
- Quality of research. Journals in the first and second quartiles are among the best scientific publications in the world. They are distinguished by high standards and strict selection criteria, which ensures that only high-quality and relevant research is published. For grantors, the presence of such publications is evidence of the researcher's professional competence and the relevance of the topic, which, in turn, increases the chances of obtaining funding.
- Improvement of scientific reputation. Due to their high reputation among scientists, publications in Q1-Q2 have a significant impact on the author's reputation. They attest not only to the quality of the research, but also to its compliance with international scientific standards. The presence of such publications will help the author find colleagues among leading scientists to conduct joint research, participate in projects, write co-authored articles, etc. Such publications contribute to an increase in scientometrics indicators, growth in the author's recognition, and improvement of positions in national and international rankings. As a result, the grant committee will perceive the candidate as a reliable, competent specialist who can be trusted with funding for research.
Publications in Q1 and Q2 journals indicate that the researcher works at the level of international standards and is capable of producing results that are of interest to the international scientific community. Such publications also demonstrate the scientist's ability to effectively disseminate their scientific achievements, which increases the visibility and impact of the project. It also demonstrates the applicant's scientific activity, experience in conducting research, ability to work in a team, organise projects, etc. All these factors significantly increase the chances of successfully obtaining a grant.
How does publication in Q1 and Q2 help to obtain a scholarship?
Publications in Q1 and Q2 journals are an important factor when considering candidates for scholarships, as their presence confirms the scientific seriousness of the applicant's research. This demonstrates their ability to conduct independent scientific work, which is a key criterion for providing financial support.
Types of scholarships and conditions for obtaining them
|
Scientific achievements |
Number of scholarships | Amount/year | Duration | |
| Scholarships from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (SMN20) | At least 3 publications in journals indexed in Web of Science or Scopus, h-index ≥3; preference given to citations and international recognition; publications in journals approved by the Ministry of Education | Up to 230/year (30 for doctoral students) | up to PLN 64,680/year | 1-3 years |
| Scholarships from the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) | At least 5 publications in journals from Web of Science or Scopus, h-index ≥5; significant number of citations, participation in international projects | Up to 100 (depending on the specific competition) | PLN 41,600-120,000/year | 6 months - 3 years |
| Scholarships from the National Science Centre (NCN) | 2-4 publications in journals with a high impact factor (WoS/Scopus); h-index ≥2; high-quality scientific justification of the project | Approximately 150-200 per year (depending on the competition) | PLN 42,000-120,000/year | 1-5 years |
| START scholarships (Foundation for Polish Science, FNP) | At least 3 publications in journals with a high impact factor; h-index ≥4; patents or international recognition are an advantage | Approximately 100 scholarships/year, including 30 top scholarships with increased funding | PLN 30,000-38,000/year | 12 months, with the possibility of extension |
When considering candidates for scholarships, the commission pays the most attention to the actual contribution to science, the quality of research, the scientometrics indicators of the scientist and their activity. In addition to scientific publications, participation in conferences, including international ones, and awards received are taken into account. International internships, as well as internships within Poland, are also taken into consideration.
The ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment is also important, as it demonstrates the researcher's flexibility and adaptability. Another important factor is active involvement in research activities without significant breaks after obtaining a scientific degree, i.e. systematic scientific activity and publication of research, especially in reputable journals.
Would you like to publish a scientific article in a Q1 or Q2 journal? Contact Scientific Publications! We will help you select a suitable journal in the Scopus or Web of Science database and accompany your work to successful publication and indexing. Get a free consultation by filling out the form below, and our manager will contact you shortly. Together to new achievements!
