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Submit a Brief

Learn how to submit your policy briefs and research contributions to the 3D Policy platform.

Submission Process Overview

The 3D Policy platform welcomes contributions from members in the form of policy briefs, research papers, and other analytical content. The submission process is designed to be straightforward while ensuring quality and relevance.

Submission Workflow

The submission process follows these key steps:

  1. Prepare Your Document

    Format your document according to the guidelines for your chosen contribution type (Intelligence Brief, Policy Brief, or Research Report).

  2. Access the Submission Form

    Navigate to the "Submissions" section of the platform and click on "Submit New Brief".

  3. Complete Metadata

    Fill in required information about your submission, including title, abstract, keywords, and categorization.

  4. Upload Document

    Upload your document in the accepted format (typically PDF or DOCX).

  5. Review and Submit

    Review all information for accuracy and completeness, then submit your contribution.

  6. Editorial Review

    Your submission will undergo review by the editorial team, who may provide feedback or request revisions.

  7. Publication

    Once approved, your contribution will be published on the platform and made available to the 3D Policy community.

Submission Timeline

  • Initial review acknowledgment: Within 2-3 business days
  • Editorial feedback: Typically within 1-2 weeks
  • Publication after final approval: Within 1 week

Note: Timelines may vary based on submission volume and complexity of the content.

Submission Form Guide

The submission form collects essential information about your contribution to ensure proper categorization, discoverability, and context. This guide explains each section of the form and how to complete it effectively.

Form Sections

The submission form is divided into several sections:

1. Basic Information

  • Title: The full title of your contribution (100 characters maximum)
  • Subtitle (optional): A secondary title or clarifying statement
  • Contribution Type: Select from Intelligence Brief, Policy Brief, or Research Report
  • Language: Primary language of your submission

2. Content Summary

  • Abstract: A concise summary of your contribution (250 words maximum)
  • Key Findings: 3-5 bullet points highlighting main insights or conclusions
  • Policy Implications (optional): Brief statement on policy relevance

3. Categorization

  • Program: Select the geographic/regional program most relevant to your submission
  • Department: Select the thematic department that best fits your content
  • Tags: Add 5-10 keywords or phrases that describe your content

4. Document Upload

  • Main Document: Upload your primary document (PDF or DOCX format)
  • Supplementary Materials (optional): Additional files such as data sets, figures, or appendices

5. Author Information

  • Primary Author: Your profile information (automatically populated)
  • Co-Authors (optional): Add other contributors if applicable
  • Author Notes (optional): Special acknowledgments or disclosures

Required vs. Optional Fields

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required and must be completed before submission. Optional fields provide additional context but can be left blank if not applicable.

Document Formatting Guidelines

To ensure consistency and readability, all submissions should follow these formatting guidelines. Properly formatted documents are easier to review and more likely to be approved quickly.

Formatting Requirements

General Formatting

  • File Format: PDF or DOCX (Microsoft Word)
  • Font: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri
  • Font Size: 12pt for body text, 14pt for headings
  • Line Spacing: 1.5 lines
  • Margins: 1 inch (2.54 cm) on all sides
  • Page Numbers: Include page numbers in the footer

Document Structure

  • Title Page: Include title, author(s), date, and contribution type
  • Abstract: 150-250 words summarizing the content
  • Table of Contents: For longer documents (Research Reports)
  • Headings: Use hierarchical heading structure (H1, H2, H3)
  • Executive Summary: 1-page summary for Policy Briefs and Research Reports
  • References: Use consistent citation style (APA, Chicago, or MLA)

Visual Elements

  • Tables and Figures: Number sequentially and include captions
  • Images: Minimum resolution of 300 dpi
  • Charts and Graphs: Include source data and clear labels
  • Color Usage: Ensure readability in both color and grayscale

Templates

For convenience, we provide document templates for each contribution type. Using these templates ensures your submission meets all formatting requirements.

Submission Tips

  • Review thoroughly before submitting to catch any errors or omissions
  • Be concise and clear in your writing, avoiding jargon when possible
  • Provide complete metadata to ensure your contribution is properly categorized
  • Follow the formatting guidelines to expedite the review process
  • Consider peer feedback before submission to strengthen your content
  • Be responsive to editorial feedback and requests for revisions
  • Check for plagiarism and ensure proper citation of all sources