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Karma Reviewer Rewards Program

JMIR Author Experience Department
Updated

For over 10 years, JMIR Publications has rewarded authors, editors, and reviewers with the innovative Karma points / Karma credits program. 

After a brief pause to allow for technical updates, effective from February 4, 2026, JMIR is bringing back the Karma Reviewer Rewards Program, with slightly adjusted rules, but remaining a merit-based system designed to recognize and reward high-quality peer review contributions. Through this program, reviewers continue to earn redeemable credits that can support their future publishing efforts. 

Earning Karma Points

You earn Karma points by submitting thorough, high-quality peer reviews for JMIR Publications manuscripts.

  • Earn 90 Karma points for each initial, qualifying peer review completed per manuscript.
  • To start earning points, you must opt in to the program. This can be done either via the checkbox provided after submitting your review or in your account settings.
  • Karma points are awarded for reviews that meet JMIR Publications’ standards for thoroughness and rigor. Reviews that do not meet this merit threshold (rated 1 or 2 by the editorial team) are ineligible for rewards. For more guidance and details about review ratings, see How to Write a High-Quality Peer Review.
  • Karma points are awarded only after a final editorial decision (accept, reject, or withdrawn) is reached. Points will appear in your account within 24 hours of that decision.
  • Karma points are not awarded for re-reviewing a revised version of a manuscript you have already reviewed once. Reviews of JMIR Preprints are also currently ineligible for points.
  • Reviews completed before the launch on February 4, 2026 and prior to opt-in are ineligible for rewards.

Redeeming Your Credits

  • For every 1 Karma point earned, you receive the equivalent of USD $1 in Karma credits.
  • Credits can be used toward any JMIR paid service, including Article Processing Fees (APFs), Fast Track Fees (FTF), and knowledge translation add-ons (e.g., Visual Abstracts, TrendMD).
  • Credits are valid for 24 months from the date they are awarded. Credits must be redeemed within this period; expired credits cannot be reinstated.
  • Any existing credits from our previous program remain available for redemption within their original expiration window.
  • Karma credits have no cash value and are not redeemable for currency.

Managing Your Account

  • You can track your current balance, review ratings, and transaction history on your User Homepage under the Karma Credits Statement.

If you have additional questions regarding your balance or the program's terms, please contact JMIR Support.

 

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