Litmaps For Non Profits: Research Literature Discovery Litmaps Mapping
Litmaps transforms overwhelming academic databases into visual, interactive citation maps that reveal hidden research connections—helping your nonprofit discover evidence-based insights 10x faster than traditional keyword searches. Used by 2M+ researchers in 150+ countries, including the organization that acquired ResearchRabbit in 2025.
What It Does
Drowning in Google Scholar results with no clear path through thousands of papers? Spending hours manually tracking down citations only to miss critical research connections?
Litmaps creates interactive visual maps of academic literature by analyzing citation networks—showing you not just individual papers, but how research ideas connect, evolve, and build on each other over time. Instead of linear keyword searches that bury relevant studies under irrelevant results, Litmaps reveals the landscape of knowledge around your topic, automatically surfacing foundational research, recent breakthroughs, and emerging trends your organization needs to know.
The platform continuously monitors 270M+ academic papers and alerts you when new research appears in your area of interest—transforming literature review from a tedious manual process into an automated intelligence system that keeps your programs informed by the latest evidence without dedicating staff time to constant database searching.
Best For
Organization Size
- Research-focused nonprofits of any size
- Policy organizations conducting evidence reviews
- Educational nonprofits supporting student research
- Healthcare nonprofits tracking medical advances
Best Use Cases
- Building evidence base for grant applications
- Monitoring emerging research in your cause area
- Identifying research gaps to guide program development
- Discovering interdisciplinary connections
Ideal For
- Grant writers building evidence-based proposals
- Program directors evaluating best practices
- Policy researchers conducting literature reviews
- Executive Directors tracking sector trends
Key Features for Nonprofits
Visual Citation Network Mapping
See research relationships at a glance instead of drowning in lists
Litmaps transforms citation data into interactive visual maps where each paper is a node and citations are connections. Papers are automatically arranged by citation count and publication date, making it easy to spot influential foundational studies versus cutting-edge recent work. Customize node sizes and axes to display different metrics—connectivity, reference counts, or research momentum—helping you identify which studies matter most for your nonprofit's work.
- Intuitive visualization that doesn't overwhelm with thousands of results—see only what's relevant
- Customizable metrics to highlight what matters for your research (influence, recency, connectivity)
- Multiple seed papers allow flexible starting points (unlike competitors limited to single papers)
Bidirectional Discovery Tools
Explore both backwards (foundational research) and forwards (who's citing this work)
Traditional database searches only find papers matching keywords. Litmaps reveals the full research landscape through citation relationships, allowing you to explore backwards to discover foundational studies that shaped current thinking, and forwards to see how recent researchers are building on established work. Co-authorship search identifies key researchers and their networks, while semantic search algorithms surface conceptually similar papers even if they don't share keywords.
- Backward exploration finds the foundational research your grants should cite
- Forward exploration reveals how ideas are evolving and being applied today
- Semantic search finds conceptually related work beyond simple keyword matching
- Co-authorship search identifies expert researchers and their collaboration networks
Automatic Literature Monitoring & Alerts
Stop manually searching—get notified when relevant research is published
Literature maps automatically update as new papers are published, and Litmaps sends email alerts so you never miss relevant research. Set up multiple maps tracking different topics (youth development, program evaluation, policy advocacy) and configure alert frequency based on your needs—daily for fast-moving fields, weekly for slower-paced topics, or monthly digests for broad monitoring.
- Auto-updating maps reflect new publications without manual refreshing
- Configurable alerts: monthly (free), daily or custom frequency (Pro)
- Track multiple topics simultaneously—unlimited maps on Pro plan
- Stay evidence-informed without dedicating staff hours to database searches
Overlapping Maps for Interdisciplinary Research
Identify connections between fields to find innovative approaches
Create multiple literature maps on different subjects and overlay them to discover interdisciplinary research gaps and innovative cross-sector approaches. This is invaluable for nonprofits addressing complex social problems that span multiple fields—for example, overlaying mental health research with education studies to find holistic youth development approaches, or combining public health with environmental justice research.
- Cross-disciplinary discovery reveals connections between seemingly separate fields
- Identify research gaps at the intersection of disciplines—opportunities for innovation
- Find holistic solutions by combining insights from multiple research areas
Collaboration & Sharing Capabilities
Share research maps with colleagues, board members, and collaborators
Export literature maps to share with board members during strategic planning, include in grant proposals to demonstrate evidence-based approaches, or post on social media to showcase your nonprofit's research-informed work. Team plans enable real-time collaboration with unlimited team members, allowing grant writers, program staff, and evaluators to work together on literature reviews.
- Export maps for grant applications, board reports, and presentations
- Social media sharing demonstrates your organization's evidence-based approach
- Team collaboration (Team plan): unlimited members work together on research
- Zotero integration for seamless reference management workflows
130+ Language Support
Access global research regardless of publication language
Litmaps supports research discovery in over 130 languages, making it invaluable for international nonprofits and organizations working in multilingual contexts. Access the full global research landscape without language barriers limiting your evidence base.
- Global research access—discover relevant studies published in any language
- International nonprofits can access region-specific research and best practices
How This Tool Uses AI
Litmaps uses AI and machine learning to transform how nonprofits discover and navigate academic research, moving beyond simple keyword matching to reveal the conceptual landscape of knowledge in your field.
What's Actually AI-Powered
🤖Citation Network Analysis & Graph Algorithms
Type of AI: Graph-based machine learning algorithms that analyze citation patterns across 270M+ academic papers
What it does: Automatically identifies which papers are most influential (high citation counts, central network positions), which are emerging (rapid recent citation growth), and how research ideas flow through the academic network over time. The AI arranges papers spatially based on citation relationships, making it visually obvious which studies are foundational versus peripheral.
How it learns: Continuously analyzes the entire citation graph as new papers are published, refining its understanding of how research areas evolve and which papers are gaining influence
Practical impact: Instead of manually reading through hundreds of abstracts to find the "key" papers in a field, Litmaps instantly shows you the 10-20 most influential studies through network centrality and citation metrics
🤖Semantic Search & Similarity Algorithms
Type of AI: Natural language processing and semantic similarity models
What it does: Understands the conceptual meaning of research papers beyond keyword matching. Finds papers discussing similar ideas even when they use different terminology—for example, surfacing studies on "donor retention" when you're searching "fundraising sustainability," or connecting "youth development" research with "adolescent wellbeing" studies.
How it learns: Trained on massive academic text corpora to understand how researchers discuss concepts across disciplines and how terminology evolves over time
Practical impact: Discover 30-40% more relevant papers than keyword-only searches, including cross-disciplinary work that uses different vocabulary but addresses the same underlying problems your nonprofit tackles
🤖Automated Literature Monitoring & Relevance Filtering
Type of AI: Recommendation algorithms and relevance scoring models
What it does: Monitors the continuous stream of newly published papers (thousands daily across all fields) and automatically identifies which ones are relevant to your specific literature maps. Filters out noise and alerts you only to publications that genuinely fit your research focus.
How it learns: Analyzes your existing literature map's citation patterns, topics, and paper characteristics to build a profile of what's relevant to your specific research question
Practical impact: Receive 2-5 highly relevant new paper alerts per month instead of being overwhelmed by hundreds of loosely related publications—your nonprofit stays current without information overload
🤖Co-Citation & Bibliographic Coupling Analysis
Type of AI: Machine learning clustering algorithms
What it does: Identifies papers that are intellectually related even if they don't directly cite each other. If two papers frequently cite the same sources (bibliographic coupling) or are frequently cited together by other papers (co-citation), the AI recognizes they're addressing related topics and clusters them together in the visualization.
How it learns: Analyzes citation patterns across millions of papers to identify which combinations of citations signal related research
Practical impact: Discover parallel research streams you might have missed—for example, finding that education researchers and public health researchers are both studying the same youth outcomes using different methodologies
What's NOT AI (But Still Useful)
- •Basic visualization layout: The graphical display is algorithmic but not AI—papers are positioned based on citation relationships using standard graph layout algorithms
- •Manual filtering: When you manually select papers to add/remove from your map, that's human curation, not AI
- •Export functions: CSV exports, social media sharing, and Zotero integration are standard database functions
- •User account management: Login, saved maps, and alert preferences are traditional software features
AI Transparency & Limitations
⚠️ Data Requirements
- •AI works best with well-cited research fields; for emerging or niche topics with sparse citations, visualization may be limited
- •Very recent papers (published in last 1-2 months) may not yet have citation connections to map effectively
- •Literature monitoring requires at least 2-3 seed papers to establish a coherent research profile
⚠️ Human Oversight Still Required
- •AI suggests papers based on citation patterns; you still need to read and evaluate quality and relevance for your specific nonprofit context
- •Semantic search may occasionally suggest conceptually related but practically irrelevant papers—review recommendations critically
- •Citation count doesn't equal research quality—highly cited papers may be influential but flawed; low-cited papers may be excellent but new
⚠️ Known Limitations
- •AI depends on academic publication databases; gray literature, reports, and unpublished studies won't appear
- •Citation analysis can favor established research paradigms; newer methodologies or critical perspectives may be under-represented in citation networks
- •Language coverage of 130+ languages is based on data availability in academic databases; some languages may have sparser coverage
- •The AI can't understand your nonprofit's specific mission context—a paper on "youth development" might be irrelevant if it focuses on corporate talent rather than community programs
🔒 Data Privacy
- ✓Your literature maps and search queries are private to your account
- ✓Litmaps does not train AI models on your individual usage patterns or share your research interests
- ✓You can export all your maps and data at any time; full data portability
When AI Adds Real Value vs. When It's Just Marketing
Genuinely Useful AI
- •Citation network visualization would be impossible manually—AI instantly reveals relationships among thousands of papers
- •Semantic search genuinely finds relevant papers keyword searches miss—this saves hours of manual database work
- •Automated monitoring of 270M+ papers is a task no human could perform—AI makes staying current feasible
- •Identifying emerging trends through citation velocity analysis reveals what's gaining momentum before it's obvious
⚠️ AI That's Nice But Not Essential
- •Co-authorship search is helpful but manual Google Scholar searches can accomplish the same goal (slower)
- •Visual arrangement is algorithmically optimized but manual layout tools could approximate similar views
❌ AI You Don't Need
- •If you only need to track 1-2 specific papers, Google Scholar citation alerts are simpler and free—Litmaps is overkill
- •If your nonprofit doesn't use academic research in grant writing or program design, citation mapping won't add value
- •For one-time literature reviews, the free plan or even Connected Papers' free tier may be sufficient—Pro's unlimited maps are unnecessary
Bottom Line: Litmaps uses AI for tasks that genuinely require machine intelligence—analyzing relationships among millions of papers, understanding semantic similarity across disciplines, and monitoring continuous literature streams. It's not using "AI" as a marketing buzzword for basic database searches. The AI adds real value specifically for nonprofits conducting regular research, tracking evolving evidence, or building knowledge bases for grant applications and program design. For occasional literature reviews or simpler needs, the AI capabilities may be more than necessary.
Real-World Nonprofit Use Case
Environmental Justice Organization Tracks Climate Policy Research
A regional environmental justice organization was preparing a major grant application to expand their climate resilience programs in underserved communities. Their program director needed to demonstrate that their approach was grounded in current research, but manually searching academic databases for "climate adaptation," "environmental justice," and "community resilience" returned over 15,000 papers—far too many to review with their small 3-person team.
Using Litmaps' free plan, they started with three foundational papers they knew well from past grants. The citation network visualization immediately revealed the 12 most influential studies in their field (papers with highest citation counts and network centrality), saving dozens of hours of manual sorting. By exploring backwards through citations, they discovered seminal research from the 1990s on environmental racism that they'd been unaware of—strengthening their historical context section.
More importantly, forward exploration showed them recent 2024-2025 studies applying their intervention approach in similar contexts. They found that researchers in three different countries were using participatory community mapping techniques (similar to their planned program) with measurable success—perfect evidence for their grant proposal. The semantic search feature surfaced cross-disciplinary work from public health journals that used different terminology but addressed the exact same community outcomes they targeted.
After receiving the grant, they upgraded to Litmaps Pro ($10/month with educational discount through their university partnership) to set up continuous monitoring. Now they receive weekly alerts when new research on climate justice and community-led adaptation is published. Over 18 months, this automated monitoring helped them:
- Identify an emerging researcher whose methodology could improve their program evaluation—they invited her as a consultant
- Discover a policy paper showing local governments were adopting frameworks similar to what they advocated—used in their policy advocacy campaign
- Build a continuously updated evidence base for ongoing grant applications without dedicating staff time to literature searches
- Create overlapping maps for "climate adaptation" and "housing justice" research—revealing an interdisciplinary research gap they could position their work within for a federal grant
Result: The organization reduced literature review time from 40+ hours per grant to about 5 hours (including reading and annotation, not just discovery), stayed current on evolving best practices without manual database searching, and strengthened their reputation as a research-informed organization—helping them win $450K in additional grants over two years. Total cost: $240 for Pro plan over two years ($10/month × 24 months).
Pricing
Free Plan
Perfect for occasional literature reviews
- 1 Litmap (up to 100 articles)
- Basic search (up to 20 inputs)
- Monthly literature alerts
- Access to 270M+ papers
- Citation network visualization
Pro Plan - Education
75% discount for academic affiliations (requires academic email)
- Unlimited Litmaps and articles
- Unlimited search inputs
- Daily/configurable literature alerts
- Advanced discovery tools
- Co-authorship & semantic search
Pro Plan - Commercial
For non-educational organizations
- All Education Plan features
- Unlimited Litmaps and articles
- Daily/configurable alerts
- Advanced search & discovery
Team Plan
For collaborative research teams
- All Pro Plan features
- Team-wide collaboration (unlimited members)
- Shared literature maps and folders
- Contact sales for pricing
Note: Prices may be outdated or inaccurate.
Nonprofit Pricing & Discounts
Educational Discount (75% Off)
Nonprofits affiliated with educational institutions automatically qualify for a 75% discount on Pro plans—reducing the cost from $50/month to just $10/month ($120/year if billed annually for an additional 20% savings).
How to Access:
- 1.Sign up using an academic email address (e.g., @university.edu)
- 2.Educational discount is automatically applied at checkout
- 3.If your nonprofit partners with a university, ask about using their email domain
Estimated Annual Savings: $480/year (vs. commercial pricing)
Nonprofit Organization Discount
Nonprofits not affiliated with universities can contact Litmaps directly for special nonprofit pricing. While specific rates aren't publicly listed, Litmaps has confirmed they offer discounts for registered 501(c)(3) organizations and international nonprofit equivalents.
How to Request:
- 1.Contact Litmaps via their website contact form
- 2.Mention your 501(c)(3) status and request nonprofit pricing
- 3.Be prepared to provide your nonprofit determination letter
LMIC Discount (Low/Middle Income Countries)
Researchers and nonprofits operating in 100+ low/middle-income countries qualify for additional discounts beyond the educational rate. If your organization qualifies, a discount code is automatically presented when you upgrade within the Litmaps application.
This is particularly valuable for international development organizations, global health nonprofits, and organizations working in emerging economies.
Institutional & Team Plans
Larger nonprofits or multi-organization collaboratives can request custom institutional licensing with volume discounts for team-wide access. Options include:
- Classroom/cohort plans for educational nonprofits training students or fellows
- Lab/team plans for research departments with multiple staff members
- Consortium plans for networks of organizations collaborating on shared research
Pro Tip: Even if you don't have an academic affiliation, the free plan is quite functional for occasional literature reviews (1 map, 100 articles, monthly alerts). Test it first, then upgrade to Pro only if you're conducting regular research. For one-time grant applications, the free tier may be sufficient.
Learning Curve
Beginner-Friendly with Advanced Depth
Overall Rating: Beginner to Intermediate
Litmaps strikes an excellent balance between ease of use and advanced functionality. Among citation mapping tools, it's widely regarded as having the best usability—the interface is intuitive enough for beginners while offering depth for experienced researchers. You can start discovering research effectively within 15-30 minutes, but fully leveraging advanced features (overlapping maps, semantic search, custom visualizations) takes 1-2 hours of exploration.
Time to First Value
Create your first literature map
Enter 1-3 seed papers, explore the citation network, identify 5-10 key studies
Set up literature monitoring
Configure alerts, explore advanced search, create 2-3 maps for different topics
Proficiency with advanced features
Master overlapping maps, custom visualizations, co-authorship search, semantic discovery
Technical Requirements
- No coding or technical skills required—fully web-based visual interface
- Basic comfort with academic databases helpful (understanding citations, references)
- Familiarity with academic paper structure (abstracts, literature reviews) useful but not required
- Works in any modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)—no software installation
Support & Learning Resources
- Help documentation at docs.litmaps.com with step-by-step guides
- Video tutorials on YouTube demonstrating key features
- In-app tooltips explain features as you explore
- Email support responsive to user questions (typically 24-48 hour response)
- Academic community discussions and user examples online
Compared to alternatives: Litmaps is easier to learn than ResearchRabbit (which requires understanding iterative search) and more customizable than Connected Papers (which is simpler but less flexible). For nonprofits new to citation mapping, Litmaps offers the best "approachable but powerful" balance.
Integration & Compatibility
Connects With
Reference Management
- Zotero – Export discovered papers directly to your Zotero library
- CSV Export – Export citation lists for manual import into Mendeley, EndNote, or other tools
Data Sources
- Semantic Scholar – Citation network data from 270M+ academic papers
- Access to papers across disciplines: STEM, social sciences, humanities, medicine, policy
Sharing & Collaboration
- Social media export – Share literature maps on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
- Team collaboration (Team plan only) – Shared folders and real-time collaboration with unlimited members
- Public/private maps – Control who can view your literature maps
Notable Limitations
- No CRM integrations – Litmaps doesn't connect to Salesforce, DonorPerfect, or donor management systems (not typically needed for research tools)
- No API access mentioned – Integrations are primarily through exports; no developer API for custom integrations
- Limited grant writing tool integrations – Cannot directly connect to Submittable, Fluxx, or grant management platforms
Platform Availability
- Web-based (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) – No software installation required
- Desktop – Fully functional in web browsers on Mac, Windows, Linux
- Mobile – Web interface works on tablets and smartphones (optimized for larger screens but accessible on mobile)
- No dedicated mobile apps – Best experience on desktop/laptop for visualization clarity
Data Portability
- CSV export of all citation lists and paper metadata
- Map exports for presentations and reports
- Zotero integration enables reference library portability
- No vendor lock-in – Your maps and citation lists can be exported and recreated elsewhere if needed
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Best-in-class usability among citation mapping tools—intuitive interface that doesn't overwhelm beginners
- +Unlimited free maps—unlike Connected Papers (5/month limit), you can create as many free maps as needed, each with 100 articles
- +Automatic literature monitoring genuinely saves hours of manual database searching each month
- +75% educational discount makes Pro incredibly affordable ($10/month vs. $50/month commercial)
- +Multiple seed papers offer more flexible starting points than single-seed competitors
- +Highly customizable visualizations—adjust metrics, axes, and node sizes to highlight what matters for your research
- +Overlapping maps reveal interdisciplinary connections and research gaps—valuable for innovative program design
- +130+ language support provides true global research access for international nonprofits
- +Active development—acquired ResearchRabbit and raised funding in 2025; platform is growing, not stagnating
- +Zotero integration seamlessly connects discovery with reference management workflows
Cons
- −Most advanced features require Pro—free plan limited to 1 map, 100 articles, and monthly alerts (vs. unlimited Pro)
- −No collaboration on Free or Pro plans—Team plan (custom pricing) required for shared folders and multi-user access
- −Limited integrations compared to comprehensive research tools—no API, no direct grant writing tool connections
- −Dependent on academic databases—gray literature, internal reports, and unpublished studies won't appear in citation networks
- −Best on desktop—mobile web interface works but isn't optimized; complex visualizations are hard to navigate on small screens
- −Learning curve for advanced features—semantic search, overlapping maps, and custom visualizations take 1-2 weeks to master
- −May be overkill for simple needs—if you only track 1-2 specific papers or conduct research once per year, Google Scholar alerts are simpler
- −Nonprofit discount not automatic (unless academic affiliation)—must contact sales for 501(c)(3) pricing
- −Citation-dependent—very new research or niche topics with sparse citations produce limited visualizations
Alternatives to Consider
If Litmaps doesn't feel like the right fit for your nonprofit's research needs, here are comparable tools with different strengths:
ResearchRabbit (Now Owned by Litmaps)
Free forever; RR+ Premium $15/month | Simpler UI with iterative search tracking
ResearchRabbit was acquired by Litmaps in 2025 but remains a separate product with its own interface and approach. Best for users who want a simpler, more guided discovery process with the ability to trace and revisit search iterations.
Choose ResearchRabbit if:
- You prefer a simpler, less customizable interface
- You want to "go back" and revisit earlier search iterations
- You're doing exploratory, unstructured research discovery
Choose Litmaps if:
- You need advanced visualization and customization
- You want overlapping maps for interdisciplinary research
- You need unlimited maps and daily alerts (Pro plan)
Connected Papers
Free tier: 5 graphs/month | Fastest single-seed visualization
Connected Papers creates beautiful, fast citation network graphs from a single seed paper. It's the simplest and quickest tool for getting a snapshot of a research area, but limited to 5 free graphs per month and doesn't offer the same depth of customization or monitoring.
Choose Connected Papers if:
- You need quick, one-time visualizations (5 or fewer per month)
- You want the simplest possible tool with zero learning curve
- You always start with a single known paper
Choose Litmaps if:
- You need unlimited maps (free plan) or ongoing monitoring
- You want to start with multiple seed papers
- You need customizable visualizations and filters
Semantic Scholar
100% Free | AI-powered academic search engine with TLDR summaries
Semantic Scholar is a completely free AI search engine (from nonprofit Allen Institute for AI) that provides paper summaries, citation analysis, and Research Feeds. It's less visual than Litmaps but offers broader search capabilities and is free forever with no limits.
Choose Semantic Scholar if:
- You prefer text-based search over visual networks
- You need completely free, unlimited access
- You want TLDR summaries and quick paper overviews
Choose Litmaps if:
- You need to see research relationships visually
- You want automatic monitoring and literature alerts
- You need to identify influential vs. emerging research at a glance
Why you might choose Litmaps instead: Litmaps offers the best balance of usability, customization, and ongoing monitoring. Unlike Connected Papers (limited free graphs) or ResearchRabbit (simpler but less flexible), Litmaps provides unlimited free maps, advanced visualization controls, overlapping map capabilities, and automatic literature alerts—making it ideal for nonprofits conducting regular research, building evidence bases for grants, or tracking evolving best practices in their field.
Getting Started
Ready to transform how your nonprofit discovers and tracks academic research? Here's your roadmap for the first 48 hours with Litmaps:
1Sign Up and Choose Your Plan (5 minutes)
Visit litmaps.com and create a free account. If you have an academic email (university or college affiliation), use it to automatically qualify for the 75% educational discount when you upgrade to Pro later.
Pro tip: Start with the free plan to test the tool. You can always upgrade to Pro ($10/month with education discount) once you've confirmed it fits your workflow.
2Create Your First Literature Map (15-30 minutes)
Identify 1-3 academic papers you already know are relevant to your work (from past grants, program research, or stakeholder reports). Enter these as "seed papers" to generate your first citation network map.
- Explore the visualization—click on nodes to see paper details
- Identify the most-cited papers (larger nodes, more connections)
- Use forward/backward exploration to discover related research
- Save 5-10 key papers you want to read
Don't have seed papers? Search for your topic in Litmaps' search bar. The platform will suggest highly-cited foundational papers to use as starting points.
3Set Up Literature Monitoring (10 minutes)
Configure email alerts to automatically notify you when new papers are published in your research area. This transforms Litmaps from a one-time search tool into an ongoing intelligence system.
- Free plan: Monthly alerts for your 1 Litmap
- Pro plan: Daily or custom frequency alerts for unlimited maps
Pro tip: Create separate maps for different research topics (e.g., "youth development best practices," "fundraising research," "program evaluation methods") and configure different alert frequencies based on how fast each field evolves.
4Explore Advanced Features (1-2 hours)
Once you're comfortable with basic visualization, experiment with Litmaps' more powerful features:
- Semantic search – Find conceptually related papers beyond keyword matching
- Co-authorship search – Identify key researchers and their networks
- Overlapping maps – Create multiple maps and overlay them to find interdisciplinary connections
- Customize visualizations – Adjust node sizes and axes to display citation velocity, momentum, or influence
- Export and share – Download citation lists for grant applications or share maps with colleagues
5Integrate into Your Workflow (Optional)
Make Litmaps part of your ongoing research and grant writing process:
- Connect to Zotero to manage citations discovered through Litmaps
- Set calendar reminders to review weekly/monthly alerts (don't let them pile up)
- Export citation lists for grant application literature reviews
- Share maps with board members to demonstrate evidence-based approach
Next Step: Visit litmaps.com to create your free account and start discovering research connections today.
Need Help with Implementation?
Setting up research workflows and integrating new tools can feel overwhelming when you're already managing fundraising, programs, and day-to-day operations. If you'd like expert guidance getting started with Litmaps—or building a comprehensive research system for your nonprofit—we're here to help.
One Hundred Nights offers implementation support ranging from quick setup assistance to full-service research system design, literature review coaching, and staff training on evidence-based program development.
Contact Us to Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Is Litmaps free for nonprofit researchers?
Litmaps offers a free tier with 1 Litmap (up to 100 articles) and basic search capabilities. For nonprofit researchers affiliated with educational institutions, Litmaps provides a 75% educational discount on Pro plans ($10/month instead of $50/month), making it highly affordable. Nonprofits not affiliated with universities can contact Litmaps for nonprofit organization pricing. The free tier is sufficient for occasional literature reviews, while the Pro plan is ideal for ongoing research work.
How does Litmaps compare to ResearchRabbit and Connected Papers?
Litmaps acquired ResearchRabbit in 2025, combining two powerful platforms. Litmaps excels at advanced visualization and customization (adjustable node sizes, multiple seed papers, detailed filtering), making it best for in-depth literature reviews. Connected Papers is faster and simpler but limited to single seed papers and 5 free graphs/month—ideal for quick snapshots. ResearchRabbit (now owned by Litmaps) offers simpler UI and iterative search tracking. Litmaps balances ease of use with advanced features, supporting 130+ languages and offering unlimited free Litmaps (no monthly limit).
Can Litmaps automatically notify me about new research in my field?
Yes. Litmaps' auto-monitoring feature is one of its strongest capabilities. Literature maps automatically update as new papers are published, and you receive email alerts when relevant research appears. The free plan provides monthly alerts, while Pro plans offer daily or configurable alert frequencies. This is invaluable for nonprofits tracking emerging research on social issues, medical advances, policy changes, or best practices—ensuring your programs stay informed by the latest evidence.
What's the difference between Litmaps' free and Pro plans?
The free plan provides 1 Litmap with up to 100 articles, basic search (20 inputs), and monthly literature alerts—sufficient for occasional research. Pro plans ($10/month for education, $50/month commercial) unlock unlimited Litmaps, unlimited articles, unlimited inputs, daily/configurable alerts, and advanced discovery tools including co-authorship search and semantic search algorithms. Pro is worth it for researchers conducting regular literature reviews, tracking multiple topics, or needing comprehensive citation mapping.
Does Litmaps integrate with Zotero or other reference managers?
Yes, Litmaps integrates with Zotero for seamless reference management. You can export citation information and organize discovered papers in your Zotero library. This integration allows nonprofit researchers to discover papers through Litmaps' visual citation network and then manage citations through familiar reference management workflows. Litmaps also offers CSV exports and social media sharing for literature maps.
How many languages does Litmaps support?
Litmaps supports research discovery in 130+ languages, making it valuable for international nonprofits and organizations working in multilingual contexts. This language coverage extends across the citation network visualization, search functionality, and literature alerts—helping nonprofits access global research regardless of publication language.
Ready to Transform Your Nonprofit's Research Discovery?
Join 2M+ researchers using Litmaps to discover hidden research connections, stay current on emerging evidence, and build stronger grant applications through visual citation mapping.