PROSPERO Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide

PROSPERO is the international database for prospectively registering systematic review protocols, mostly used for health and social care-related reviews. Registration is increasingly expected by journals and dissertation committees, not just encouraged.

What you need before you start

Have your protocol drafted first — PROSPERO asks for the same core elements: research question, eligibility criteria, search strategy outline, and planned synthesis method. See our guide to writing a research protocol if you haven't drafted this yet.

The registration steps

1. Create an account on the PROSPERO platform.
2. Complete the registration form — review title, anticipated start and completion dates, review question(s), eligibility criteria (PICO elements), information sources, and planned risk-of-bias and synthesis methods.
3. Submit for review — PROSPERO staff check submissions for completeness before publishing.
4. Receive your registration number — cite this in your final manuscript.

Timing matters

Registration must happen before data extraction begins — PROSPERO won't accept protocols for reviews where extraction is already underway. Plan registration into your timeline early, since the review process can take some time, particularly during high-submission periods.

Does PROSPERO registration cost anything?

Registering on PROSPERO itself is free — there's no fee to create an account or submit a protocol. The cost people usually mean is professional help writing the protocol PROSPERO requires: a clear research question, eligibility criteria, search strategy outline, and planned synthesis method, all specific enough to pass PROSPERO's completeness check on the first submission. That's the same protocol document you'll need for your own review regardless of registration, so it isn't really an added cost so much as work that has to happen either way.

Realistic timeline

Drafting a complete, submission-ready protocol typically takes anywhere from a few days to about two weeks, depending on how developed your research question and search strategy already are. Once submitted, PROSPERO's own review for completeness is usually a matter of days, though it can take longer during high-submission periods (e.g., around major grant or thesis deadlines) — build in buffer time rather than registering at the last minute.

Common reasons for delay

• Vague or missing eligibility criteria
• No clear planned synthesis or risk-of-bias method specified
• Incomplete author or contact information

What if my review type isn't eligible?

PROSPERO doesn't accept every review type (e.g., some scoping reviews aren't eligible). Check current eligibility criteria on the platform, or register with an alternative registry appropriate to your field.