Rigorous peer review is the cornerstone of high-quality academic publishing.

MDPI recognizes the critical role of reviewers in upholding the highest standards of credibility and integrity in the research published in its journals.

In 2025 alone, more than 209,000 reviewers contributed to MDPI’s rigorous and transparent peer review process, generating more than 1.3 million review reports.

In its commitment to supporting researchers, MDPI continues to look for new avenues to express its gratitude for its reviewer community. Here, we explore some of the various ways in which MDPI acknowledges their invaluable efforts.

Recognizing reviewers at MDPI

Often an unseen and unrewarded task, reviewers are essential to safeguarding the integrity and quality of academic publishing. By providing platforms to raise the profiles of the dedicated reviewer community, MDPI hopes to stress that their contributions seldom go unnoticed.

To express its gratitude, MDPI’s Reviewer Recognition Program highlights reviewers across more than 400 journals, featuring those who have assessed at least one manuscript and agreed to be acknowledged.

Celebrating outstanding contributions

While all reviewers are greatly valued, MDPI provides special recognitions for those who have shown exceptional commitment to providing thorough and timely review reports.

In 2025, MDPI identified its Top 1000 Reviewers of 2024 to recognize those whose expertise, dedication, and thoughtful evaluations were particularly outstanding. Selected from a distinguished pool of 215,000 reviewers, these honourees stand out for their outstanding expertise, diligence, and dedication to advancing research through their feedback.

Similarly, MDPI’s Exceptional Reviewer List further highlights the scholars who have delivered consistently exceptional review reports to MDPI journals. By curating a journal-specific list of academics driving rigorous review reports, MDPI hopes to showcase the respective communities of reviewers whose efforts continue to ensure the quality across MDPI’s journals.

Outstanding Reviewer Award

MDPI’s Outstanding Reviewer Award is given by journals annually to recognize those who have dedicated their time to reviewing papers and displayed thoroughness, professionalism, and timeliness while doing so.

All individuals who have served as a reviewer within the previous year are automatically eligible for the Outstanding Reviewer Award. Further, this award is distinct from previous recognitions as winners can expect to receive:

• An official certificate;
• A cash prize;
• A waived or discounted Article Processing Charge (APC).

Read our blog article on the Outstanding Reviewer Award where we further detail the important selection criteria and highlight some of its recipients.

Alternatively, see everything you need to know about MDPI’s Award Program here.

Why should I review for an MDPI journal?

For many individuals, becoming a reviewer brings a multitude of opportunities for professional development; it allows them to improve their own writing and gain early-access to developments in their field, amongst other perks.

In addition to becoming eligible for the previously discussed recognitions, reviewing for MDPI journals includes various benefits.

For every manuscript reviewed, scholars may receive a discount voucher code for a reduction in the article processing charge (APC) of a future submission to any MDPI journal. These voucher codes can be used to pay for professional English editing through Author Services.

Reviewers may also create a profile on the Web of Science Reviewer Recognition Service, formerly known as Publons, and have their reviewing activity automatically added for participating journals. These profiles can also be integrated with ORCID.

Finally, excellent reviewers may be promoted to Reviewer Board Members (subject to approval by the Editor-in-Chief), providing great opportunities for career progression.

Become a reviewer for MDPI

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition its reviewer community who maintain an essential role in MDPI’s mission to advance open science.

If you are thinking about reviewing for an MDPI journal, you can apply directly on the journal website. To learn more, visit the Guidelines for Reviewers