Writing Acknowledgements for Academic or Scientific Manuscripts

Writing Acknowledgements for Academic or Scientific Manuscripts

Writing acknowledgements may seem like the most straightforward section of a scholarly paper, but anyone who has attempted to compose one thoughtfully knows how nuanced it can be. Most academics and scientists have read or skimmed hundreds of acknowledgements while consulting research papers and reference materials. This familiarity helps when it comes time to craft their own acknowledgements section, but the task remains both delicate and highly individual. Each journal has its own requirements, each project its unique mix of support and collaboration, and each researcher their own voice. The goal is to offer professional gratitude—accurate, concise, and gracious—without neglecting anyone who deserves recognition or falling into sentimentality. Below, I expand on six key principles for writing acknowledgements that are precise, polished, and fully aligned with the conventions of academic publishing.

1. Begin with Journal Guidelines

The first and most critical step in writing your acknowledgements is consulting the author guidelines of your target journal. Every publication has its own expectations regarding where acknowledgements should appear (typically following the main text but before references), how contributors should be ordered, and whether certain categories—such as funding or data collection—require dedicated sections. Some journals even specify formatting, sequence, or precise wording. Ignoring these rules risks editorial revisions or rejection at the proofing stage.

As a general rule, acknowledgements should remain concise and focused on contributions directly relevant to the research—intellectual, technical, or financial. Avoid generic thanks or emotional expressions that do not serve a professional purpose. Use full names and affiliations when possible and clearly describe the nature of each contribution. For example: “We thank Dr. Maria Silva (University of São Paulo) for her valuable statistical guidance.” This format not only recognises the contributor but also provides transparency to readers about how the work was supported.

2. Always Acknowledge Funding Agencies

Funding acknowledgements are essential. They give credit to agencies that make your research possible and signal accountability for how financial resources are used. Most funding bodies require a specific format when cited in manuscripts. Be sure to include the agency’s full name, grant identification number, and—if applicable—the name of the principal investigator associated with the funding.

For example: “This work was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), grant no. 320871/2024-0.” If your journal mandates a separate funding statement, ensure that your acknowledgements section still reflects gratitude appropriately, even if the financial disclosure is presented elsewhere.

3. Do Not Fear Repetition When Necessary

Conciseness is important, but clarity and compliance are more so. In some cases, you may need to repeat acknowledgements in multiple places—once in a funding section, once in the general acknowledgements, and perhaps again in image credits or captions. This redundancy is not an error; it is a mark of diligence. Always follow the exact wording required by funding agencies or museums, even when it overlaps with journal phrasing.

4. Maintain a Professional Tone and Formal Style

While acknowledgements express gratitude, they are not personal letters. Avoid casual or overly emotional language. Phrases such as “I cannot thank my colleagues enough” or “My deepest appreciation goes to…” may sound heartfelt but can appear unprofessional in the context of a research paper. Instead, opt for restrained, sincere formulations: “The authors gratefully acknowledge…” or “We wish to thank…”

5. Review, Reflect, and Revise Carefully

When your manuscript is nearly complete, review the acknowledgements alongside the full text to ensure that all contributors and supporters are properly recognised. This includes individuals who offered feedback during revision, laboratory technicians, librarians, or data specialists. Overlooking a contributor—even inadvertently—can have reputational consequences. Conversely, avoid inflating the list with individuals whose input was peripheral or unrelated to the research itself.

• ✔ Confirm every funding source and grant number are listed correctly.
• ✔ Ensure all significant contributors (technical, intellectual, or logistical) are credited.
• ✔ Verify institutional names, spellings, and affiliations.
• ✔ Align tone and style with the journal’s published articles.
• ✔ Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and consistent formatting.

6. Spelling and Regional Conventions

It might seem minor, but spelling matters—especially in section headings. Many journals specify whether they follow British or American English. The word “acknowledgements” includes an e before the final syllable in British English but omits it (“acknowledgments”) in American English. When submitting to an American journal, remove the e. When submitting to a British or international one, include it. It’s a small detail but an immediate indicator of professionalism.

Additional Considerations for Modern Academic Publishing

• Open data platforms and repositories: If your research relies on publicly available datasets, acknowledge the repository accordingly.
• Ethics approval bodies: In fields like medicine or psychology, cite institutional review boards or ethics committees that approved the study.
• Software and computational tools: If analytical tools or software packages played a crucial role, include them by name and version number.
• Language editors or proofreaders: When professional editing services assist with clarity or linguistic accuracy, acknowledging them is both courteous and transparent.

Ethical Dimensions of Acknowledgements

Writing acknowledgements is not merely administrative—it carries ethical weight. It demonstrates intellectual honesty by delineating who contributed what. Never include individuals who have not given permission to be acknowledged; doing so can violate privacy or professional boundaries. Likewise, avoid omitting contributors because of personal disputes.

Conclusion: The Elegance of Thoughtful Gratitude

Although acknowledgements might occupy only a few lines in a lengthy research paper, their significance is profound. They stand as a public record of collaboration, mentorship, funding, and institutional support. Thoughtful acknowledgements strengthen the scholarly community by recognising the interconnected effort behind every published work. They also reflect on you as an author—your professionalism, precision, and appreciation for the academic ecosystem that enables your research to thrive.

At Proof-Reading-Service.com, our editors help authors refine every element of their manuscripts—from structure and clarity to acknowledgements and submission formatting. If you’d like professional assistance ensuring your acknowledgements meet journal standards, contact our team for expert editing support.