Postdoc Free Access Passport

For a more up-to-date article on this initiative, click here.

In November 2012 and again in June 2013 we launched a program to support young scholars in between jobs or looking for their first postdoctoral position. Applicants who were qualified were granted up to 6 months free access to all our journals and books on ScienceDirect opens in new tab/window and were able to use this access to work on grant applications and research projects.

We were delighted with the response we got from the community; both from postdoctoral organisations who forwarded the application form link and from researchers who qualified for the free access.

One of the recipients of the 2012 program, Daniele Vergara opens in new tab/window of the University of Salento in Italy, wrote: "As a postdoc fellow in biological sciences, this program [gave] me the chance to maintain a vital scientific network, to read papers and write grants. In the absence of help from government and local institutions, the Elsevier program was a great experience, an innovative way to support postdocs during their research career."

As the international economic situation continues to be challenging for academics starting their career, we have decided to bring back this program. In order to give even more people the option to apply we have extended the application period to 6 months.

How to get the Free Access Passport

To qualify, candidates must complete a form verifying their credentials by August 31st, 2014. Once approved, they will receive a personal code allowing access to ScienceDirect opens in new tab/window.

Qualifying criteria are:

• Postdoctoral researchers who have received their PhD within the past five years.

• Candidates must have completed their last research position (either PhD research or a postdoc or equivalent) on or after January 1, 2014, or have a position that will end before 31st August 2014.

Applicants should submit a scanned image of a letter from their last academic mentor or advisor that states the position held and the date on which the position ended or will end.

For more on the program and an application, visit elsevier.com/postdocfreeaccess