This is where you can access downloadable copies of our legal terms, policies, and guidelines. In the interests of transparency, we make available the current and previous versions of each document, if possible.
Current terms
Advertising & Recruiting Guidelines
The Advertising & Recruiting Guidelines explain the standards and requirements for anyone using ResearchGate’s advertising and recruiting services, including what content is permitted, what is prohibited, and how ResearchGate enforces compliance.
The Business Product Terms describe the rights and obligations that apply when a business purchases specific commercial products offered by ResearchGate.
The Business Service Terms set out the contractual conditions under which a business uses ResearchGate’s services and products, covering matters such as definitions, delivery, billing, intellectual property, confidentiality, and liability.
The Candidate Privacy Policy describes how ResearchGate collects and protects personal data provided during job applications or recruitment-related exchanges.
The Community Guidelines outline the standards of behaviour expected from members on our platform, setting the tone for respectful and constructive interaction.
The Content Syndication Agreement (CSA) is an agreement that ResearchGate enters into with publishers who want their journal content to appear on our platform. It describes how publishers provide access to content, and how that content is then made available to researchers.
The Data Processing Agreement describes how ResearchGate processes personal data on behalf of organisational partners and sets out the safeguards and responsibilities that apply under data protection law.
The Intellectual Property Policy explains how rights related to shared content are handled on ResearchGate and clarifies procedures for reporting and addressing potential infringements.
The Journal Subscription Terms set out the conditions under which access to subscribed journal content is provided through ResearchGate’s services and define the rights and obligations that apply to subscribers.
The Privacy Policy describes how personal data is collected, used, and protected by ResearchGate and sets out the choices and rights available to individuals.
The Strikes Policy outlines how violations of platform rules may lead to recorded warnings (known as strikes) on user accounts on ResearchGate and explains the consequences and procedures associated with this system.
The Terms of Service establish the fundamental conditions under which visitors may access and use the ResearchGate platform and set out the rights and obligations that apply to this use.
The Testing Program Terms describe the conditions under which participants may take part in experimental or early-access features offered by ResearchGate and clarify the responsibilities associated with such participation.
The Cookie Policy was incorporated into the Privacy Policy. Effective April 2, 2019 to July 8, 2020, the policy described how ResearchGate used cookies and similar technologies on its platform.
The Funding Service Terms were replaced by the Business Service Terms. Effective March 22, 2019 to March 31, 2020, the Funding Service Terms set out the conditions under which organisations could use funding-related services offered by ResearchGate.
Effective April 23, 2020 to March 14, 2022, the Key Contributor Policy described a temporary program through which specific members could volunteer as contributors to enhance topic-related content on ResearchGate at a time when the COVID-19 Community Page was active, which was later discontinued.
The Master Advertising Terms were replaced by the Business Service Terms. Effective April 17, 2019 to March 31, 2020, the Master Advertising Terms set out the conditions under which organisations could place advertising on the platform operated by ResearchGate.
The Self-Serve Advertising Terms (Ads) were replaced by the Business Service Terms. Effective October 10, 2018 to March 31, 2020, the Self-Serve Advertising Terms for Ads set out the conditions under which organisations could create and manage advertisements through self-service tools.
The Self-Serve Advertising Terms (Jobs) were replaced by the Business Service Terms. Effective November 9, 2018 to March 31, 2020, the Self-Serve Advertising Terms for Jobs set out the conditions under which organisations could create and manage job postings through self-service tools.
The subscription service was discontinued. Effective May 31, 2021 to March 15, 2022, the subscription service terms described the conditions under which subscribers could access enhanced features on ResearchGate.
Effective April 23, 2020 to March 14, 2022, the Volunteer Community Moderator Policy described a temporary program through which selected members could support moderation activities on ResearchGate at a time when the COVID-19 Community Page was active, which was later discontinued.
