Newswise — (Toronto, February 5, 2026) JMIR Publications, a leader in open access scholarly publishing, today announced the launch of the new Karma Reviewer Rewards Program. This initiative introduces a specialized, merit-based framework designed to elevate and reward the critical role of peer reviewers in the scientific process.

The evolved Karma program marks a strategic shift toward a quality-focused reward model. Moving away from traditional volume-based incentives, the new system ensures that rewards are tied directly to the depth, rigor, and professionalism of the feedback provided. Under this model, reviewers earn Karma points for contributions that meet high scholarly standards, as verified by editorial quality assessments.

“Peer review is critical work. We know that expertise deserves more than just gratitude; it deserves real recognition,” said Sean Jeong, CEO of JMIR Publications. “The Karma program is our commitment to transparency. We want to ensure that the experts we rely on are properly honoured for their contribution.” 

To maintain high standards, rewards are issued once an editorial decision is reached and the review meets quality benchmarks. Earned points convert into Karma credits, which reviewers can redeem as discounts toward Article Processing Fees (APFs) and other JMIR services.

By providing this direct research support, the program reinforces the integrity of the scholarly record while helping reviewers fund their own future publications. This focus on the substance of the review allows JMIR Publications to set a new benchmark for a sustainable and equitable peer-review ecosystem.

Through this quality-first initiative, JMIR Publications continues to innovate in how the scientific community recognizes and supports the essential work of peer reviewers.

For more information regarding the program, please visit the Karma Reviewer Rewards Program webpage.

About JMIR Publications

JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research. To find out more about JMIR Publications, visit jmirpublications.com or connect with them on Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Dennis O’Brien, Vice President, Communications & Partnerships

JMIR Publications

communications@jmir.org

+1 416-583-2040

The content of this communication is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, published by JMIR Publications, is properly cited.