Covid-19

A global health emergency like the Covid-19 pandemic can only be overcome when research results are rapidly and openly shared, and when all stakeholders work together.

Covid-19 research

In 2020, we established a priority peer review process for all Covid-19 research and waived more than $4 million in publishing fees to support the scientific response to the pandemic. To date, our editorial community has reviewed 10,160 Covid-19 article submissions, of which 3,560 have been published. Many of these articles form part of our 152 Covid-19 Research Topics covering many aspects of the outbreak, from prevention and treatment to psychological and economic impacts.

10,160

total Covid-19
articles submitted

3,560

total Covid-19
articles published

20,306,518

total Covid-19 article views
and downloads

Press coverage

Covid-19 research articles published in our journals were mentioned by international news outlets, including The New York Times’ September 2020 feature The Pandemic Is a ‘Mental Health Crisis’ for Parents.

2020 collection highlights

covid 2.png — **Psychological effects of the pandemic**

Investigations and theoretical perspectives on how people are psychologically affected by and coping with the pandemic.
*147 articles* | *670,000 views*
— See collection

covid .png — **Public health**
**challenges**

Addressing knowledge gaps and generating evidence for the improved clinical management and control of Covid-19.
*388 articles* | *4,500,000 views*
— See collection

covid 3.png — **Molecular mechanisms and therapeutics**

Advances in the clinical diagnosis of Covid-19 and the study of molecular mechanisms and pathology in different populations.
*116 articles* | *510,000 views*
— See collection

Academic Survey

In May and June 2020, we conducted a survey with our editors, reviewers, and authors to gain insights on how the pandemic is impacting their work and the wider implication for science. The research community has been under extraordinary pressure to deliver answers, and a lack of precedent and preparation, combined with severe political and social pressures, has made this an incredibly challenging time.

Press coverage

The findings of our academic survey were mentioned by 27 international news outlets, including The Economist’s November 2020 report Are governments following the science on covid-19?

The Economist: Are governments following the science on covid-19?.

Survey highlights

There were mixed reactions to the political response to the pandemic. Researchers in New Zealand had the highest satisfaction levels, with most agreeing that their policy makers had taken scientific advice into account. While the majority of researchers in the USA, Brazil, Chile, and the UK disagreed and did not feel that policymakers had listened to scientific advice.

Despite the massive disruption caused by the outbreak, researchers managed to adapt and continue working. It gives us hope that the academic community will remain resilient to new waves, as well as future disasters.

There are concerns about funding with researchers calling for more investment in basic research – reflecting the need to support long-term challenges and goals, even during a crisis.

Scientists know how important it is that we learn lessons from 2020 to prepare for future threats to humanity, and are pragmatically considering how to prepare for and mitigate future crises.

See survey

Coronavirus Knowledge Hub

We launched the Coronavirus Knowledge Hub in March 2020, a centralized source of trusted information and analysis on the pandemic. This includes the latest research articles and collections, expert commentaries on scientific and societal responses to the pandemic, and Covid-19 funding and data resources. The hub also provides a platform for the scientific community to suggest new research directions, stakeholder engagement, and initiatives around Covid-19 and the current global health crisis.

Covid-19 funding monitor

We set up a funding monitor to help researchers, non-profits, and commercial organizations find funding for their Covid-19 research. The monitor listed 214 open funding calls, including the grant type, deadline, organization, and specific area it supports. An estimated $1.5 billion was made available from funders including Amazon, Pfizer, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.