Secihti Advances Recognition of National Open Access Journals
The Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (Secihti) has taken a significant step in strengthening Mexico’s scholarly publishing landscape through the establishment of the Sistema Nacional de Publicaciones Científicas y Humanísticas (SNPCyH). This initiative focuses on recognizing high-quality, non-commercial open access journals in the scientific and humanistic fields.
Background on Secihti and the SNPCyH
Secihti, created to centralize efforts in science, humanities, technology, and innovation, builds on prior frameworks while introducing new mechanisms for journal recognition. The SNPCyH aims to bolster the national ecosystem of academic publications by emphasizing bibliodiversity, editorial integrity, and open access without fees for authors or readers.
The 2026 Convocatoria for Journal Recognition
In 2026, Secihti launched a specific call for Mexican journals specializing in scientific and humanistic research to seek recognition within the SNPCyH. Eligible publications must operate under a non-commercial open access model, maintain their own website with freely available content, and demonstrate strong editorial practices.
Core Principles Guiding the Policy
The system rests on six foundational principles: knowledge as a public good, open access, academic and editorial integrity, diversity in disciplines and languages, equity and inclusion, and transversality across national policies. These guide evaluations and promote the human right to science.
Evaluation Criteria and Process
Journals undergo an integral evaluation across four dimensions: editorial presentation, policies and management, content quality, and online accessibility. Reviews are conducted by members of the Sistema Nacional de Investigadoras e Investigadores (SNII) with relevant expertise, ensuring objectivity and transparency. The process is formative, offering feedback for improvement.
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Role of the Comité Técnico
Installed in July 2026, the Comité Técnico validates evaluations, provides technical observations, and recommends enhancements to guidelines. It comprises Secihti authorities, representatives from open access information systems, and experts in academic editing.
Benefits for Mexican Higher Education Institutions
Recognition enhances visibility for journals affiliated with universities and research centers, supports sovereignty in knowledge production, and aligns with broader open science goals. It encourages revaluation of national publications in promotion and funding systems.
Alignment with International Open Science Frameworks
The policy resonates with global movements such as the Budapest Open Access Initiative and UNESCO recommendations on open science, while prioritizing non-commercial models like those supported by platforms such as Redalyc and SciELO México.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Participation
Academic institutions, public research centers, and editorial teams have shown strong interest, with the call extended to allow broader participation. Informational sessions highlighted the policy’s role in advancing ethical publishing and knowledge democratization.
Future Outlook and Implications
With annual calls planned and recognition valid for up to three years, the SNPCyH positions Mexico to strengthen its scholarly communication infrastructure. This supports researchers, enhances global competitiveness of national outputs, and fosters inclusive access to knowledge generated with public resources.
Resources for Further Engagement
Institutions interested in the process can consult detailed guidelines and platforms on the official Secihti site. The initiative complements existing agreements, such as those facilitating open access publishing options for affiliated authors.