Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
1. Purpose and Scope
Science Mundi, published by AJER Publishing, is committed to maintaining high standards of scientific integrity, editorial independence, transparency, and responsible dissemination of research findings.
Science Mundi operates a strict no-advertising and no-commercial-sponsorship policy. The journal does not accept paid advertisements, commercial promotional materials, sponsored editorial content, or paid promotional placements in its print or electronic publications, on its website, or through its official publishing platforms.
This policy ensures that scientific research published by the journal is evaluated independently and that editorial decisions remain free from commercial influence.
The policy applies to all official journal publications, website content, supplementary materials, editorial communications, and other publication channels under the journal's control.
2. Editorial Independence
Science Mundi maintains editorial independence from advertisers, commercial organisations, sponsors, donors, manufacturers, technology providers, and other external interests.
All manuscripts undergo editorial screening and, where appropriate, independent peer review.
Editorial decisions are based on scientific originality, methodological soundness, ethical compliance, quality of evidence, reproducibility where applicable, and contribution to scientific knowledge.
No commercial entity or external organisation may influence manuscript selection, reviewer appointments, peer review outcomes, editorial decisions, publication schedules, corrections, retractions, or other editorial processes through sponsorship or financial contributions.
The Chief Editor and Editorial Board are responsible for safeguarding the journal's scientific and editorial independence.
3. Prohibition of Advertising
Science Mundi does not accept or display paid advertisements in its publications or official digital platforms.
Prohibited advertising includes:
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Commercial banners, display advertisements, and promotional graphics.
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Pop-up advertisements and other paid digital advertising.
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Sponsored links, paid listings, and commercial referral placements.
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Promotional inserts in printed or electronic journal issues.
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Paid advertisements for scientific equipment, software, technologies, products, or services.
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Commercial product endorsements embedded within scientific articles.
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Advertising arrangements involving commissions, referral fees, or other commercial incentives.
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Any other paid promotional material intended to influence readers or generate commercial advantage.
Science Mundi does not sell advertising space or permit commercial entities to purchase promotional visibility within its scientific publications.
4. Prohibition of Commercial Sponsorship
Science Mundi does not accept commercial sponsorship for individual articles, journal issues, editorial sections, peer review activities, or publication decisions.
No company, institution, or individual may obtain preferential editorial treatment, accelerated acceptance, favourable peer review outcomes, or influence over scientific content through sponsorship or financial contributions.
The journal does not permit sponsored articles, sponsored issues, or commercially controlled editorial sections.
This restriction does not prohibit the publication of legitimate scientific research supported by research grants, universities, research institutions, government agencies, foundations, or private-sector research funding.
Such support must be transparently disclosed and must not compromise the independence, integrity, or presentation of scientific findings.
5. Prohibition of Advertorials and Promotional Content
Science Mundi does not publish advertorials, paid promotional articles, product endorsements, or content primarily intended to market scientific equipment, technologies, software, or commercial services.
Manuscripts that function principally as commercial marketing materials are not considered suitable for publication.
However, the journal may publish independent scientific evaluations of products, technologies, laboratory instruments, software, or other research-related materials where the work demonstrates scientific merit, methodological rigour, appropriate disclosure, and editorial independence.
Publication of such research does not constitute endorsement of the products, technologies, manufacturers, or organisations discussed.
6. Research Funding and Conflicts of Interest
Science Mundi recognises that legitimate scientific research may receive financial or material support from universities, research councils, government agencies, foundations, development organisations, and private-sector entities.
Such support is distinct from commercial sponsorship of the journal.
Authors must disclose relevant research funding, financial relationships, institutional interests, and other potential conflicts of interest.
Where research involves commercially manufactured equipment, proprietary technologies, software, or products, relevant financial or professional relationships must be disclosed in accordance with the journal's publication ethics policies.
Funding organisations must not improperly influence research findings, data interpretation, conclusions, or publication decisions.
Where a potential conflict of interest exists, the journal may request additional disclosures or undertake further editorial assessment.
7. Journal Fees and Financial Transparency
Article processing charges and other legitimate publishing fees, where applicable, are not classified as advertising or sponsorship.
Such fees support publishing operations and do not purchase favourable editorial decisions or guarantee manuscript acceptance.
Science Mundi maintains a separation between financial administration and editorial decision-making.
All manuscripts remain subject to the journal's established editorial assessment, peer review, originality, and ethical requirements regardless of payment arrangements.
8. Institutional Announcements and Scholarly Information
Science Mundi may publish official journal announcements, calls for papers, editorial notices, publication updates, author guidelines, and other information directly related to its scholarly publishing activities.
Such communications are not considered commercial advertising when issued for legitimate editorial, administrative, or academic purposes without paid promotional placement.
The journal may acknowledge research funding, institutional affiliations, and scholarly contributions where appropriate.
These acknowledgements do not constitute commercial sponsorship or endorsement by the journal.
9. Monitoring, Compliance, and Enforcement
The Chief Editor, Editorial Board, and AJER Publishing are responsible for implementing this policy.
Science Mundi does not enter into advertising agreements or commercial sponsorship arrangements that conflict with its commitment to scientific integrity and editorial independence.
Any unauthorised advertising or promotional material appearing on official platforms under the journal's control will be reviewed and removed where appropriate.
Attempts to influence editorial decisions through financial incentives, sponsorship offers, or other improper arrangements will be investigated in accordance with the journal's publication ethics and complaints procedures.
10. Policy Review and Contact
Science Mundi periodically reviews this policy to ensure continued alignment with recognised scholarly publishing principles, editorial independence, and institutional ethical standards.
Questions or concerns regarding advertising, sponsorship, promotional content, or potential conflicts of interest may be directed to the Science Mundi editorial office through the journal's official communication channels.
Science Mundi remains committed to maintaining a scientific publishing environment free from paid advertising, commercial sponsorship, and improper financial influence.
Science Mundi
AJER Publishing
