Upcoming CAPES Webinar Highlights Advantages of SciELO Publishing
The Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, known as CAPES, will host a free online training session focused on the Scientific Electronic Library Online platform, commonly called SciELO, on June 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The session forms part of the ongoing Fronteiras do Saber series organized through the Portal de Periódicos CAPES and features speaker Abel Parker from SciELO.
Researchers, faculty members, librarians, and graduate students across Brazilian universities stand to gain practical insights into why publishing in SciELO-indexed journals strengthens academic careers. The event underscores CAPES ongoing commitment to supporting open-access dissemination of Brazilian scientific output.
CAPES Role in Brazilian Higher Education and Research Support
CAPES operates under the Ministério da Educação and plays a central role in funding postgraduate programs, evaluating research performance, and providing access to scientific literature. Its Portal de Periódicos aggregates thousands of journals and databases, serving hundreds of higher-education institutions nationwide. Through initiatives like the Fronteiras do Saber webinars, CAPES equips the academic community with tools to navigate publishing landscapes effectively.
These training opportunities address real needs in Brazilian universities, where faculty and students balance teaching loads with research demands. By focusing on platforms such as SciELO, CAPES helps align individual publication strategies with national priorities for visibility and impact.
Understanding SciELO and Its Place in Open Science
SciELO began in 1997 as a collaborative project to index and publish peer-reviewed journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Portugal, and Spain. It operates as a decentralized network that emphasizes open access, quality control, and regional relevance. Journals accepted into the SciELO collection undergo rigorous evaluation covering editorial processes, peer review, and metadata standards.
Unlike many commercial databases, SciELO prioritizes content produced in the Global South. This focus helps Brazilian researchers reach audiences interested in regional issues such as public health, biodiversity, agriculture, and social sciences. The platform also integrates with preprint servers and supports multilingual publications, broadening accessibility.
Key Benefits of Publishing in SciELO-Indexed Journals
Publishing through SciELO offers several concrete advantages for academics working in Brazilian institutions. Visibility increases because the collection is freely accessible worldwide without paywalls. Citation rates often improve due to enhanced discoverability in regional and international search engines.
Alignment with evaluation systems matters greatly. Many Brazilian funding agencies and university promotion committees recognize SciELO publications favorably. The platform supports open-science practices, including data sharing and transparent peer review, which align with evolving policies from CAPES and other bodies.
Cost considerations also favor SciELO for many authors. While article processing charges exist in some journals, the overall model remains more sustainable than hybrid open-access arrangements with large commercial publishers. Researchers gain credibility within Latin American scholarly communities while meeting internationalization goals.
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- Greater regional and global reach for work on Brazil-specific topics
- Support for Portuguese and Spanish language publications alongside English
- Integration with national research evaluation metrics
- Contribution to collective open-access infrastructure funded in part by public resources
Session Details and How Academics Can Participate
The June 18 webinar runs for approximately one hour and includes time for questions. Participants will learn practical steps for manuscript preparation, submission workflows, and strategies to maximize impact after publication. Registration occurs through the Portal de Periódicos CAPES website, with the session streamed live and recorded for later access.
University administrators may encourage departments to promote the event among early-career researchers and postdocs. Librarians often coordinate group viewings or follow-up discussions, turning the webinar into a professional-development opportunity.
Broader Context of Scientific Publishing in Brazilian Universities
Brazilian higher education has expanded dramatically over the past two decades, with increased emphasis on research productivity. Federal universities and state institutions alike face pressure to improve international rankings while addressing local challenges. Platforms like SciELO help bridge these objectives by showcasing research that might otherwise remain less visible in predominantly English-language commercial journals.
Recent policy discussions within CAPES have explored transformative agreements with major publishers alongside continued support for national platforms. The training session arrives at a moment when many researchers weigh options between international high-impact outlets and regionally focused open-access collections.
Implications for Faculty Development and Institutional Strategies
For individual academics, mastering SciELO publishing can accelerate career progression. Publications in the collection often count toward Qualis classification used in postgraduate program evaluations. Graduate students preparing theses or dissertations benefit from early exposure to these outlets.
University leaders may view the webinar as part of broader efforts to strengthen research ecosystems. Institutions with strong SciELO output frequently report improved performance in national assessments and greater success in securing CAPES funding for centers of excellence.
Future Outlook for Open-Access Initiatives in Brazil
As open-science principles gain traction globally, Brazilian stakeholders continue refining support mechanisms. CAPES investments in the Portal de Periódicos and partnerships with SciELO position the country as a leader in regional scholarly communication. Upcoming webinars in the Fronteiras do Saber series will likely cover related topics such as preprint usage and research integrity.
Long-term success depends on sustained funding, editorial capacity building, and researcher training. The June 18 session represents one practical step in that direction, offering actionable guidance rather than abstract policy discussion.
Practical Takeaways for Researchers and Administrators
Attendees should prepare questions about journal selection, manuscript formatting, and post-publication promotion. Administrators can follow up by organizing internal workshops that apply lessons from the webinar to specific disciplines.
Participation requires only an internet connection and registration via the official CAPES portal. The session promises to deliver clear, evidence-based reasons why SciELO remains a strategic choice for many Brazilian scholars seeking both visibility and alignment with national priorities.
