Playbook
How to apply for journals
Journals and special issues accept submissions year-round or until a call closes. Editors screen for scope and quality before peer review, so the cover letter and abstract decide whether a paper is sent out.
How these are won
- Check the aims and scope and recent issues; out-of-scope papers are returned without review.
- Follow the author guidelines for structure, references and data availability.
- Write a cover letter that states the contribution and why it fits this journal in a few sentences.
Materials checklist
- PaperOnly you can supply it: upload it once and it is attached wherever it is asked for.
- Cover letterOnward Scout drafts it from your sourced profile; you approve every line.
A preparation timeline
Counted back from the deadline. Each program guide puts real dates on it.
- 56 days before the deadlineRead the call and set up accountsCheck scope, page limit, template and anonymity rules; create submission-system profiles for every author.
- 14 days before the deadlineRegister the abstractWhere the call has an abstract deadline, register title, abstract and authors before it.
- 5 days before the deadlineFinal checksCheck format, anonymity, references and supplementary material against the call.
- 1 days before the deadlineSubmitUpload the final version a day early and keep the submission number.
Questions you will meet, answered honestly
Why is this paper right for the journal?
Connect the contribution to the journal's scope and to work it has published, without overstating novelty.
Has this work been submitted elsewhere?
Answer accurately. Simultaneous submission is usually prohibited; whether preprints are allowed is in the guidelines.
How Onward Scout helps
This one is submitted on the organiser's own site, behind your login. Onward Scout prepares every answer and file in the form's order with one-tap copy, so submitting takes minutes; you mark it submitted when you're done.
Open now
- Apply by 30 June 2027Call for papers: Altermagnetic materials (cross-journal Collection)Nature Communications / Springer NatureA cross-journal Nature Portfolio collection seeking papers on altermagnets, a newly identified magnetic phase with zero net magnetization but strongly spin-split bands.publication in a themed Nature Portfolio collectionOpen worldwideDetails and how to apply
- Apply by 30 June 2027Call for papers: Microbial metabolic interactions (cross-journal Collection)Nature Microbiology, Nature Communications, Communications Biology & Scientific ReportsFour Nature Portfolio journals jointly invite studies of how microbes exchange nutrients and interact metabolically, including ecology and evolution. Research articles…choice of four participating journalsOpen worldwideDetails and how to apply
- Apply by 20 July 2027Call for papers: Photonic neuromorphic computing (Nature Portfolio Collection)Nature Communications / Springer NatureNature Communications and partner journals invite research on brain-inspired photonic computing, from fundamental physics to hardware platforms and links to AI systems…publication in a themed Nature Portfolio collectionOpen worldwideDetails and how to apply
- RollingJournal of Artificial Intelligence Research (JAIR)AI Access FoundationA long-running open-access AI journal with no submission or publication charges; decisions typically come within about 8-12 weeks. It also runs special tracks on themes…open access under CC BY · no APCOpen worldwideDetails and how to apply
- RollingJournal of Machine Learning Research (JMLR)JMLRA leading open-access machine learning journal; accepted papers are published online as soon as final versions arrive. Submissions are accepted continuously and special…open access · rapid electronic publicationOpen worldwideDetails and how to apply
- RollingTransactions on Machine Learning Research (TMLR)TMLR (JMLR family)An open machine learning journal that reviews submissions on a rolling basis through OpenReview, judging technical soundness rather than perceived impact. Manuscripts…double-blind review with public reviews · fast turnaroundOpen worldwideDetails and how to apply
Let Onward Scout prepare your journals applications
Drop in the résumé, deck or portfolio you already have. Onward Scout builds a sourced profile, finds opportunities you can win and prepares each application for you to approve with a tap.
Nothing is submitted without your tap. Logins, CAPTCHAs, payments and interviews stay with you.