Join the Institute

The Institute is built around researchers, reviewers, and readers who want science evaluated on its merits — not on where it was produced, who funded it, or whether the author holds the right credentials. Two ways in: merit-based roles earned by contribution, and a paid Affiliation for researchers with an ORCID iD, granted on review. All credentials publicly verifiable.

Verify a credential → Apply for a merit role →

Just want a paper reviewed? You don't need to join or pay to submit. Review is open to anyone — submit your work, and if it's accepted it publishes in Persistence, the Institute's journal, online first, and is eligible for the annual print and ebook edition.

Merit-based roles

Earned by contribution. No fee. Granted by the Institute on the basis of demonstrated work. Every credential holder will receive a member discount on print and ebook copies of Persistence.

Founding Member (FM)

Charter affiliate of the Institute. Closed at 50 total admissions. Term: indefinite.

Curation Advisor (CA)

Advisory role in the Institute's curation direction, rubric evolution, and journal policy. Term: one year, renewable.

Research Fellow (RF)

Affiliated researcher pursuing original work under the Institute's program areas. May author under ICSAC affiliation. Term: one year, renewable.

Reviewer (RV)

The human in the loop. Works through a structured checklist on both the paper and the panel's review of it, and flags what the panel missed, misread, or over-weighted. Term: one year, renewable.

Other (OT)

Honorary or case-specific admission. By invitation of the curation desk. Term: case-by-case.

Affiliation

Open to researchers with an ORCID iD whose work fits the Institute's program areas. Affiliation is granted on review; the annual dues cover the credential, verify page, directory listing, and member benefits.

Affiliated Researcher (AR)

$99 / year

Use of ICSAC affiliation on academic works (within accuracy)
Personal ICSAC ID# (ICSAC-NNNNN) for verifiable affiliation
Digital PDF certificate with QR linking to public verify page
Listing in the member directory, behind ORCID sign-in (opt-out at checkout, switchable later)
ICSAC/Persistence Newsletter (opt-in anytime)
Member discount on print and ebook copies of Persistence, from the first edition
Eligibility for promotion to Research Fellow based on demonstrated participation

Term: one year, renewable.

Affiliate — $99/yr →

You'll enter your ORCID iD and name at secure Stripe checkout. The Institute reviews your record before issuing your verifiable credential and certificate. If we can't grant affiliation, your payment is refunded in full.

Affiliation → Research Fellow

Affiliated Researcher is the on-ramp: an ORCID holder whose work fits the program can affiliate and start participating. Research Fellow is earned — through sustained, demonstrated participation in the Institute's work (commenting on cases, attending review sessions, adjudicating borderline decisions, contributing to rubric refinement). Promotion is the Institute's decision; payment does not buy advancement. AR is affiliation granted on review, with a clear path to demonstrate fit. RF is granted on merit.

Apply for a merit-based role

The form below is for the merit tiers: FM, CA, RF, RV, OT. The Institute reviews applications on a rolling cadence; credentialed applicants receive a verifiable credential ID and are added to the public registry. Affiliated Researcher (AR) is paid, ORCID-gated, and granted on review — use the Affiliation card above, not this form. If the embedded form does not load, use the direct form link.