Can You Submit to Another Conference Before Registering for an EI Conference?

When preparing to publish in an EI-indexed (Engineering Index) conference, it’s not uncommon to reconsider your options after submission. A frequent question among researchers is: If I haven’t registered or paid for an EI conference yet, can I still submit the same paper to another one? The answer lies in understanding the academic process and publication ethics.

Submission Without Registration: What It Means

If you’ve only submitted a paper to an EI conference and have not yet completed registration or paid any fees, your submission is not yet officially committed. In this phase, many conferences treat your manuscript as under review and no binding agreement is in place unless a copyright transfer form or registration has been completed.

Is It Ethical to Withdraw?

Yes — withdrawing your paper before registering is typically acceptable. However, you should do it professionally. That means:

Send an official withdrawal email to the conference organizer.
Wait for confirmation of withdrawal before submitting the same paper elsewhere.
Avoid simultaneous submissions to multiple conferences, which can lead to blacklisting or disqualification.

Key Considerations Before Redirecting Your Paper

Check the copyright agreement: If you’ve signed anything, even digitally, you may have already assigned publication rights.
Avoid self-plagiarism: If the paper is accepted and published in two venues, it can trigger duplicate publication issues.
Maintain your academic integrity: Ethics play a crucial role in the academic world. Always communicate transparently with organizers.

Why Proper Guidance Matters

Many early-career researchers face confusion when handling paper withdrawals and resubmissions. That’s why platforms like academic.net provide up-to-date information on conference procedures, submission timelines, and ethical practices. Whether you’re aiming for EI, Scopus, or SCI conferences, having a trusted academic resource helps you avoid missteps.

Final Thought: Submitting a paper to another conference before registering for an EI event is possible if handled correctly. Just remember to follow academic protocol, communicate openly, and use platforms like academic.net to guide your conference journey with confidence.