Acknowledgement Page Guide 2026: How to Write & Format

Did you know that a well-crafted acknowledgement page can strengthen your academic relationships and adhere to evolving institutional policies? Mastering this section is crucial in 2026.

1. What is an acknowledgement page?

An acknowledgement page or section is where authors thank those who helped, supported, or provided assistance during their work but did not meet authorship criteria. It serves to express gratitude for intellectual, technical, financial, and personal support that contributed to the project.

In academic writing, the purpose of an acknowledgement page is to promote transparency, credit support and assistance, and maintain academic integrity. It also helps build professional relationships by publicly recognizing mentors, funding agencies, colleagues, and even family and friends.

Placement varies: in journal articles, acknowledgements typically appear after the main text and before references. In theses or dissertations, they are often in the front matter, following the title page and sometimes after the abstract. Understanding the proper placement according to discipline or institution policies ensures your work aligns with standards.

2. Who to thank in acknowledgements?

2.1 Funding Agencies and Grants

Funding agencies or organizations that provided grants should be acknowledged first, often with specific grant numbers and project names. Following funder-specific wording and policies ensures compliance and transparency. For example, you might write, "This work was supported by NSF under Grant No. 123456." Including all sources of financial support is crucial for clarity and to thank those who made the research possible.

2.2 Supervisors, Mentors, and Colleagues

Next, acknowledge academic mentors, supervisors, and colleagues who provided guidance, intellectual input, or technical help. Explicitly state their support roles, such as "for statistical consultation" or "for insightful feedback." Ordering these acknowledgements from the most formal, like the supervisor, to informal colleagues, helps maintain a professional tone and clarity.

2.3 Technical and Administrative Support

Lab managers, statisticians, librarians, translators, and proofreaders play vital roles that deserve recognition without implying co-authorship. Always seek consent before listing individuals, especially if their support was sensitive or private. For more on this, see our guide on gitpage website builder.

2.4 Participants, Communities, and Organizations

In social sciences and humanities, acknowledging participants or organizations involved in the study is standard practice. Ensure ethical considerations and privacy are respected, especially when acknowledging communities or vulnerable groups.

2.5 Family and Friends

In theses or dissertations, it’s common to thank family and friends for their unwavering support. Keep gratitude brief and professional, expressing appreciation without over-emotional language. This maintains a formal tone while showing genuine appreciation.

3. How to write an effective acknowledgement page

3.1 Planning and Preparation

Start a support and assistance list early, noting who gave feedback, mentorship, or technical help, along with funding sources. Cross‑check with journal or university guidelines, which may specify length, placement, or wording. Always obtain consent from individuals you plan to thank to respect privacy and preferences.

3.2 Writing Principles

Keep it concise—usually one paragraph for journal articles, extending to 1–2 pages for theses. Use a professional and appreciative tone, avoiding slang or overly emotional language. Be specific about each contribution, including grant numbers and formal titles, to ensure clarity and proper credit.

3.3 Common Phrases and Structures

Begin with funding or support, then academic mentors, followed by personal thanks. Example: "Supported by NSF under Grant No. 123456. I thank my supervisor, Dr. Smith, for guidance, and my family for their support." Use clear, formal language aligned with style guides, ensuring consistency and professionalism.

4. Best practices and tips for writing acknowledgements

4.1 Formatting and Style

Group similar acknowledgements for clarity, such as all funding sources together and personal thanks at the end. Double-check spelling, titles, and affiliations. Follow specific journal or university style guides for formatting and tone, maintaining a formal style throughout. For more on this, see our guide on cool coloring pages.

4.2 Ensuring Appropriateness

Respect privacy and consent, especially for sensitive contributors or controversial roles. Avoid over-promoting or including private jokes, which can undermine professionalism. Limit personal expressions to maintain a formal and respectful style, especially in academic contexts.

4.3 Verifying and Finalizing

Cross-check funding details with official grant documents and ensure all names and titles are correct. Obtain approval from supervisors or co-authors if needed. Proofread carefully for accuracy and completeness before submission, avoiding common mistakes like inconsistent information or overlooked contributors.

5. Acknowledging AI tools and emerging standards

5.1 Current Policies and Recommendations

Institutions and journals are increasingly requiring explicit disclosure of AI use, especially when tools like ChatGPT assist in drafting or summarizing. Mention the AI tool, version, and specific role in the work, such as "This work utilized ChatGPT for initial drafting." Authors remain responsible for content accuracy, so transparency is key.

5.2 Best Practices for AI Acknowledgement

Follow your institution’s and journal’s policies, clearly describing how AI tools contributed. Use transparent language, making it clear that AI assistance was support—not authorship. Proper disclosure supports transparency and maintains academic integrity, helping avoid ethical issues like ghostwriting or undisclosed support.

5.3 Impact on Academic Integrity

Explicitly acknowledging AI use supports trust and transparency. Data from datasets like AckSent show that AI and support networks are integral parts of modern research. Proper disclosure prevents potential ethical conflicts and aligns with evolving standards for responsible research practices.

6. Common mistakes to avoid

6.1 Overpromising and Overpromoting

Avoid implying co-authorship or significant intellectual contribution when contributions are minor. Steer clear of promotional language or advertising, which diminishes professionalism and can mislead readers.

6.2 Neglecting Consent and Privacy

Always seek approval before acknowledging individuals, especially when support was sensitive or confidential. Respect privacy and confidentiality policies to prevent ethical issues or personal discomfort. For more on this, see our guide on talk2page.

6.3 Inconsistent or Inaccurate Information

Double-check spellings, titles, and grant numbers for accuracy. Ensure consistency with other parts of your document, like funding statements or author contributions, to avoid confusion or misrepresentation.

7. Latest trends and future directions

7.1 Structured Contributor Roles

Use taxonomies like CRediT to specify roles beyond acknowledgements, clarifying support types such as data curation, methodology, or supervision. This increases transparency and aligns with publication standards.

7.2 Automation and Metadata

Automated systems now extract funding and support info from acknowledgements, making data more discoverable. Leading publishers are integrating structured data fields to track collaborations and funding sources efficiently.

7.3 Evolving Policies on AI and Support Tools

Institutions are formalizing policies on AI assistance disclosure, emphasizing transparency and ethical acknowledgment. Expect more detailed guidelines on how and when to acknowledge AI tools as their role expands in research and writing.

8. Conclusion and key takeaways

Acknowledgement pages are essential for expressing gratitude, promoting transparency, and adhering to publication standards. When written professionally, they strengthen academic relationships and uphold integrity in research.

Follow best practices, check institutional policies, and be transparent about support and assistance, including AI tools. Using acknowledgement templates and tips can make this process smoother, ensuring your acknowledgements are appropriate, concise, and impactful. For more on this, see our guide on ibriefpage.

FAQs

What is an acknowledgement page?

An acknowledgement page is a section where authors thank those who helped, supported, or provided assistance during their work but did not meet authorship criteria. It’s a formal way to express gratitude for intellectual, technical, financial, or personal support.

Where does the acknowledgement go in a thesis?

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgement page is typically located in the front matter, after the title page and sometimes after the abstract. It usually takes a single page or a brief section within the front matter, following institutional guidelines.

Who should I thank in my acknowledgements?

You should thank support and assistance from funding agencies, academic mentors, supervisor, colleagues, technical staff, and family and friends. Always consider ethical and privacy considerations, and ensure consent before listing individuals.

How long should acknowledgements be?

The length of acknowledgements varies: in journal articles, it’s often a single paragraph; in theses, it can extend to 1–2 pages. Keep it concise, relevant, and aligned with institutional or journal style guides.

How do you write an acknowledgement page?

Start early by drafting a list of support and funding sources. Use a professional tone, be specific about contributions, and follow style guides. Use examples of acknowledgements as templates to ensure proper structure and tone.

What is the difference between a dedication and acknowledgements?

A dedication is a brief personal statement expressing love or gratitude to someone, often in a more informal tone. An acknowledgement page formally thanks those who supported your work, maintaining a professional and structured style.