Ten years ago, on May 11, 2016, the first preprint on Preprints.org went live. It was a modest beginning with a bold vision: to provide researchers a way to share their findings immediately, openly, and without barriers. Today, we are proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Preprints.org. What started as an idea has evolved into a global preprints infrastructure, chosen by over 400,000 researchers to share their work.
A Decade of Open Evolution
Reflecting on a decade of evolution, we have grown alongside the scientific community, continuously adapting to meet the dynamic needs of modern research.
Following the first posting in 2016, we reached our first 100 preprints within months. To ensure these early contributions remained traceable and citable, we quickly implemented Crossref DOIs, providing authors with stable records from the start. During this formative period, we established collaborations with Publons and ASAPbio to champion open feedback, fostering a more interactive and transparent community feedback culture.
The platform’s role as an information resource was most clearly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, we functioned as a platform that facilitated the immediate release of research, supporting the urgent need for open information. This contribution was formally recognized by the NIH, which included the platform’s content in its iSearch COVID-19 Portfolio, an expert-curated resource designed to accelerate access to life-saving research.
Building on this growing impact, we are discoverable by major databases including Web of Science, Dimensions, and most recently, OpenAlex. In 2025, we surpassed 100,000 preprints, a reflection of the trust and recognition we have built over the past decade.
Growing with the Community
We haven’t walked this ten-year journey alone.
Established at the platform’s inception, our Advisory Board and expert network have expanded alongside Preprints.org. Today, we are honored to have over 580 distinguished scholars as our Advisory Board members and screeners who provide their guidance and expertise.
This expert support naturally evolved into a deep sense of community responsibility during periods of urgent scientific need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our community members stepped in to support screening to ensure relevant research was disseminated both rapidly and responsibly.
Beyond providing a platform for rapid dissemination, we have consistently sought to deepen the conversation of Open Science. This commitment to engagement was further amplified in 2025 with the webinar held during Open Access Week, themed Who Has a Voice in Open Science. Through this webinar, we brought together researchers and experts from the Open Science and Preprints communities to seek pathways toward more equitable and impactful knowledge-sharing.
Our community has shared their well-wishes as we mark our 10th Anniversary. Watch the celebration video to see the messages from those who have walked this journey with us.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the first decade of progress, we remain steadfast in our vision for the future of supporting research dissemination, collaboration, and scientific communication. In the years to come, we are committed to evolving alongside the needs of the scientific community, championing rapid research dissemination while exploring new ways to enhance the visibility and discoverability of early-stage work.
We warmly invite the community to join our 10th Anniversary events, including the Popular Preprints of the Decade Award, and share your story in our #MyMostMemorablePreprint activity. If you would like to stay informed throughout the celebration, be sure to subscribe to the anniversary hub for updates.
