Frequently Asked Questions

About EurekAlert!

Using EurekAlert! As A Reporter

Using EurekAlert! as a Public Information Officer (PIO)

(PIO-members: log in to view an extended FAQ for press officers.)

Newsletters and Content Re-distribution

Passwords

Sponsorship and Sponsored Content

Contacts

Overview

What is EurekAlert!?

Established in 1996, EurekAlert! is a nonprofit news-release distribution platform operated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as a resource for journalists and the public. EurekAlert! hosts news releases produced by universities, journal publishers, medical centers, government agencies, corporations, and other organizations engaged in all disciplines of scientific research. News releases must meet EurekAlert!'s longstanding eligibility guidelines in order to be accepted and hosted on the website. Institutions must pay a fee to submit news releases to EurekAlert!. Payment of submission fees does not guarantee acceptance of news releases.

EurekAlert!'s office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. US Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Submissions or inquiries received by our staff during office hours will be processed the same day. Submissions received outside of office hours will be processed on the next business day.

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What kind of information does EurekAlert! host?

EurekAlert! hosts news releases produced by universities, journal publishers, medical centers, government agencies, corporations, and other organizations engaged in all disciplines of scientific research. These news releases may describe research findings recently published in peer-reviewed journals, timely information related to the business, innovation, and societal aspects of science, and details of grants, awards and honors, books, and scientific meetings. EurekAlert! also hosts online newsrooms or news portals for journal publishers, government agencies, scientific meetings and other organizations. These microsites aggregate news releases published by, or relevant to, these organizations or meetings.

News releases must meet EurekAlert!'s longstanding eligibility guidelines in order to be accepted and hosted on the website. Institutions must pay a fee to submit news releases news releases to EurekAlert!. Payment of submission fees does not guarantee acceptance of news releases.

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Who may contribute content to EurekAlert!?

EurekAlert! only accepts content contributions from public information officers (PIOs) at eligible organizations that conduct, publish, or fund scientific research. PIOs wishing to submit releases to EurekAlert! must meet our eligibility criteria, complete the online application form, and pay a submission fee. News releases must meet EurekAlert!'s longstanding eligibility guidelines in order to be accepted and hosted on the website. Payment of submission fees does not guarantee acceptance of news releases.

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What are EurekAlert!'s news release eligibility guidelines?

You may read our news release eligibility guidelines at www.eurekalert.org/releaseguidelines.

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How do I use EurekAlert!?

News releases hosted on EurekAlert! are freely available to members of the public at www.eurekalert.org. No registration necessary.

Working reporters who meet our eligibility criteria may apply for free access to the reporter-only section on EurekAlert!, which hosts embargoed news releases and press materials provided by academic journals and research institutions for the exclusive use of working journalists. Reporters also gain access to other free services provided by EurekAlert!, such as customizable daily e-mail alerts of embargoed news releases. All embargoed news releases are made freely available to the public at designated embargo-release time.

Working public information officers (PIOs) who meet our eligibility criteria may apply for free access to certain services on EurekAlert! and purchase access to submit news releases.

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How do I follow the latest news releases published on EurekAlert!?

There are several ways to stay updated on the latest news releases published on EurekAlert!:

  • Visit the latest news release feed. News releases are published in real-time daily.
  • Sign up for the #EurekAlertTrending Weekly Newsletter for a list of the most popular releases published that week, delivered on Saturdays.
  • Follow EurekAlert! on social media, look for EurekAlert! on Twitter, Facebook, and Weibo.

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What's your privacy policy?

The full privacy policy is available on the EurekAlert! Privacy Policy page.

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How do I contact EurekAlert! staff?

The easiest way to reach EurekAlert! staff is by e-mailing webmaster[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org or by calling 1-202-326-6716.

EurekAlert!'s office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. US Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Submissions or inquiries received by our staff during office hours will be processed the same day. Submissions received outside of office hours will be processed on the next business day.

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Using EurekAlert! As A Reporter

What is a news embargo?

A news embargo is a prohibition against making public, in any way, certain information before a specific date/time. In the context of science journalism, a news embargo is typically set by a journal publisher and coincides with the date/time when the associated research article is to be published. Journalists who agree to a news embargo are offered related materials in advance that would help them produce well-researched and accurate news stories about the scientific research, these materials often including the final manuscript, related news releases and multimedia, and access to interview authors and collect independent third-party commentaries. EurekAlert! provides its reporter-registrants access to embargoed content submitted by journal publishers and research institutions. PIOs may designate an embargo date/time when submitting a news release. EurekAlert! only recognizes or enforces embargo guidelines set by legitimate content owners, such as journal publishers and scientific meeting organizers. All reporter- and PIO-registrants must digitally sign an embargo agreement prior to obtaining an account on EurekAlert!.

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I'm a reporter, how do I apply for an account on EurekAlert!?

Please review the eligibility criteria for reporters and fill out the application form.

You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application, and our staff will reach out to you within one business day. You may be required to provide additional information or clarification. Upon approval, you will also receive your username and temporary password via e-mail. You are strongly encouraged to change your password immediately upon logging-in for the first time.

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What features on EurekAlert! can I access as a reporter?

Working reporters who meet our eligibility criteria may apply for free access to the reporter-only section on EurekAlert!, which hosts embargoed news releases and press materials provided by academic journals and research institutions for the exclusive use of working journalists. Reporters also gain access to other free services provided by EurekAlert!, such as customizable daily e-mail alerts of embargoed news releases. All embargoed news releases are made freely available to the public at designated embargo-release time.

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How many reporters from my media outlet can register for an account on EurekAlert!?

There is no limit to the number of eligible reporters from a media outlet who can register for an account on EurekAlert!.

Please note that EurekAlert! does not allow the sharing of reporter accounts. Every journalist who requires access to the reporter-only section of EurekAlert! must register individually and digitally sign the embargo agreement. Individual accounts also provide reporters with customizable daily e-mail alerts, embargo change notifications, and other individualized services.

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How much does it cost to obtain a reporter account and access embargoed content on EurekAlert!?

There is no cost to register an EurekAlert! reporter account, however, you must meet our eligibility criteria and digitally sign our embargo agreement. Upon approval, reporter-registrants may utilize all features on EurekAlert! for free, including access to embargoed news releases and press packages offered by our partner journal publishers.

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Using EurekAlert! as a public information officer (PIO)

What is a news embargo?

A news embargo is a prohibition against making public, in any way, certain information before a specific date/time. In the context of science journalism, a news embargo is typically set by a journal publisher and coincides with the date/time when the associated research article is to be published. Journalists who agree to a news embargo are offered related materials in advance that would help them produce well-researched and accurate news stories about the scientific research, these materials often including the final manuscript, related news releases and multimedia, and access to interview authors and collect independent third-party commentaries. EurekAlert! provides its reporter-registrants access to embargoed content submitted by journal publishers and research institutions. PIOs may designate an embargo date/time when submitting a news release. EurekAlert! only recognizes or enforces embargo guidelines set by legitimate content owners, such as journal publishers and scientific meeting organizers. All reporter- and PIO-registrants must digitally sign an embargo agreement prior to obtaining an account on EurekAlert!.

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I'm a PIO, how do I apply for an account on EurekAlert!?

Please review the eligibility criteria for PIOs and fill out the application form.

You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application, and our staff will reach out to you within one business day. You may be required to provide additional information or clarification. Upon approval, you will also receive your username and temporary password via e-mail. You are strongly encouraged to change your password immediately upon logging-in for the first time.

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What features on EurekAlert! can I access as a PIO?

Working PIOs who meet our eligibility criteria may apply for free access to the PIO-only section on EurekAlert!, which offers advance notifications of forthcoming journal articles from our journal partners, an online discussion forum, and other complimentary resources, such as customizable daily e-mail alerts of public news releases.

A fee is required for submitting eligible news releases and sponsored content banners to EurekAlert!. Consult the fee schedules for news releases and sponsored content. News releases must meet our eligibility guidelines to be accepted. Payment does not guarantee acceptance of news releases.

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How many PIOs from my organization can register for an account on EurekAlert!?

There is no limit to the number of eligible PIOs from an organization who can register for an account on EurekAlert!.

Please note that EurekAlert! does not allow the sharing of PIO accounts. Every PIO who requires access to the PIO-only section of EurekAlert! must register individually and digitally sign the embargo agreement. Individual accounts also provide PIOs with customizable daily e-mail alerts, access to the PIO Discussion Forum and other individualized services.

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How much does it cost to obtain a PIO account on EurekAlert!?

There is no cost to register an EurekAlert! PIO account, however, you must meet our eligibility criteria and digitally sign our embargo agreement.

Upon approval, PIO-registrants gain access to certain free services on EurekAlert!, including advance notifications of forthcoming journal articles from our journal partners, an online discussion forum, exclusive access to participate in our PIO Seminars and webinars. and other complimentary resources, such as customizable daily e-mail alerts of public news releases.

A fee is required for submitting eligible news releases and sponsored content banners to EurekAlert!. Consult the fee schedules for news releases and sponsored content. News releases must meet our eligibility guidelines to be accepted. Payment does not guarantee acceptance of news releases.

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How much does it cost to submit a news release?

Submission fees depend on the type of institution you represent. Consult the fee schedules for news releases and sponsored content for details. News releases must meet our eligibility guidelines to be accepted. Payment does not guarantee acceptance of news releases.

In order to submit content to EurekAlert!, PIOs must meet our eligibility guidelines, complete the application form and digitally sign the embargo agreement.

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How do I pay the news release submission fee? What are my options?

Based on submission needs, PIOs may pay a per-release submission fee or an annual fee that covers eligible submissions. For more details on pricing for non-profit and for-profit organizations and to place an order, visit our fee schedule. For further information, please contact us at 1-202-326-6716 or e-mail us at business[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org.

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My organization already pays an annual fee, can I use their submission privilege?

Under the EurekAlert! subscription policy, an institution is defined as one entity supported by its own public relations function. An institution representing multiple organizations may require multiple subscriptions. For example, a medical school or hospital affiliated with a university but supported by a separate public relations team must pay its submission fees individually. Journal publishers are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please e-mail us at business[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org or phone at 1-202-326-6716 to discuss your organization's needs.

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Newsletters and Content Re-distribution

Does EurekAlert! offer e-mail alerts or newsletters?

EurekAlert! offers a free weekly newsletter, #EurekAlertTrending, featuring a selection of the most popular news releases from the week, delivered on Saturdays. Sign up here.

Journalist-members may sign up for twice daily e-mail alerts for the latest listings of embargoed and public news releases posted to EurekAlert!.

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Can I re-distribute news releases published on EurekAlert!?

News releases hosted on EurekAlert! are intended to support editorially independent news coverage by journalists and for consumption by members of the public who are interested in news releases produced by organizations that have conducted, funded, or published scientific research.

EurekAlert! and its operator, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, encourage the broad communication of scientific research worldwide. However, we request that users refrain from duplicating EurekAlert! content on other websites in a wholesale or "content aggregation" fashion without expressed permission. EurekAlert! and AAAS reserve the right to determine appropriate uses of EurekAlert! content, at our sole discretion.

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Passwords

Can I change my password?

Registered reporters and PIOs can set their preferred password by logging in to their account and navigating to the password change screen. Passwords must:

  • Be 6 characters or longer
  • One UPPER CASE character
  • One lower case character
  • One number
  • One special character

If you need assistance, please contact webmaster[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org or call us at 1-202-326-6716.

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What if I forget my password?

If you are a registered reporter or PIO and have forgotten your password, click on the Reset my Password link on the AAAS ID account page and follow the instructions to have your password reset. Your e-mail address is required to initiate the password reset process. If you have forgotten your e-mail address, please contact webmaster[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org or call us at 1-202-326-6716 for further assistance.

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Sponsorship and Sponsored Content

How do I support EurekAlert! activities by sponsoring an event or program?

Some EurekAlert! events and programs, including PIO Seminars, the early-career reporter fellowships, PIO Meet Ups, and EurekAlert! Receptions at the AAAS Annual Meeting, accept sponsorships or philanthropic support. If you are interested in partnering with EurekAlert! on these or other activities, please contact business[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org.

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How do I purchase Sponsored Content banners?

PIO-registrants may promote evergreen science-related content through the Sponsored Content program, which circulates web banners in all areas of the EurekAlert! website. For more details, visit the Sponsored Content page or e-mail sponsoredcontent[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org.

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Contacts

How do I contact EurekAlert! staff?

The easiest way to reach EurekAlert! staff is by e-mailing webmaster[AT]eurekalert[DOT]org or by calling 1-202-326-6716.

EurekAlert!'s office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. US Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Submissions or inquiries received during office hours are typically processed the same day. Submissions received outside of office hours are processed on the next business day.

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