Frequently Asked questions

For students

How do I submit my project?

CSFJ closed for submissions for the 2023-2024 year as of August 2023. If you would like to submit an article, please email editors@csfjournal.com. We request that all submitted articles be formatted using the official template, and adhere to our submission guidelines.

Do I have to be a science fair participant to submit my project?

Certainly not! While many of the published articles were presented at science fairs, we welcome school projects, classroom submissions, and individual research projects. We know there are tonnes of incredible research out there that hasn’t been presented at science fairs, and we would be delighted to publish any and all research by Canadian children and youth.

Do you reject projects for publication?

At the moment we don’t reject projects for publication unless there are significant questions of originality/plagiarism or other ethical considerations. Once articles are submitted, authors are paired with university mentors who perform a collaborative peer-review with them. This involves checking for plagiarism, ensuring references are formatted correctly, and checking for any major issues that may need to be fixed.

What will I get out of this?

Scientific publication is a critical step in any research process. Publication and dissemination open doors for young researchers by introducing them to international networks of professionals in their fields. It also allows researchers to share their findings with other like-minded scientists and fosters community and collaboration. Not only will you have the opportunity to share your work with a national audience, but you will also be able to enhance your resume with a publication, have your work permanently online in a clean, accessible format, and get free print copies of your research to give to family and friends. We are also open to providing letters upon request to verify your engagement with the CSFJ.

How long after I submit will my project be published?

Due to the large volume of submissions we have received for the 2023-2024 season, we will be publishing articles online on a month-to-month basis. Publication order is on a first come first serve basis. If you wish to include your published work as part of a scholarship or other applications, please let us know and we will try to accommodate your needs.

For Parents

Will my child's personal information be shared? 

We recognize that privacy is a concern for many parents. It is important to note that this journal is open-access and thus may be seen by anyone. We do ask for photos and school names/hometowns, however please note that this information is recommended only and not required. Please be sure the manuscript does not contain any sensitive information such as addresses or phone numbers.

Is there a chance my child will be rejected?

The CSFJ will only turn down an article if it does not meet the complete requirements, contains plagiarized content, is their original work, and does not raise ethical concerns. At this stage, the journal is publishing all methodologically sound articles. We do not wish to discourage young scientists by rejecting their work, and hope to work with students to develop the quality of their submissions should they require. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to editors@csfjournal.com. We are happy to ‘pre-read’ an article before students officially submit it.

Am I required to sign off?

Parents or teachers are required to sign off on a student’s manuscript to attest the work’s originality. The Statement of Originality can be found under "For Teachers/Parents".