JAMA Network · General medicine

JAMA: acceptance rate, review time, and how to prepare

In 2025, JAMA received 11,526 manuscripts and accepted 10.4% overall and 3.9% of research manuscripts. The median first decision took 2.1 d without peer review and 25 d with it. Every figure below is quoted from the journal's own Year in Review editorials (2023–2025) and instructions for authors, captured 2026-09-12.

Submission requirementsJAMA at JAMA Network ↗
Sources: 3 annual editorials · instructions for authors · Scimago 2024
11,526
Manuscripts received, 2025
5,471 research
10.4%
Acceptance rate, 2025
3.9% research
2.1 d
First decision without review, median
2025
25 d
First decision with review, median
2025
Acceptance rate

What is JAMA’s acceptance rate?

The journal publishes the answer itself. Its 2025 Year in Review editorial reports 11,526 manuscripts received, 5,471 of them research manuscripts, with an overall acceptance rate of 10.4% and a research acceptance rate of 3.9%. Only 23% of research manuscripts were sent for external review; the rest were decided by the editors. Across 2023–2025 the research acceptance rate moved from 4% to 3.9% while submissions rose 22%.

YearAll manuscripts receivedResearch manuscripts receivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchResearch sent for external reviewSource
202511,5265,47110.4%3.9%23%2025 Year in Review and Vision for the Path Ahead
202410,2365,30112%5.2%24.8%2024 Year in Review and Looking to 2025
20239,4764,83012%4%25.7%2023 Year in Review and What's Ahead at JAMA
Timelines

How long does JAMA take to reach a decision?

Median days, as published by the journal. 'Without peer review' is the editorial-triage decision; 'with peer review' is the decision after external review.
YearFirst decision, no reviewFirst decision, with reviewReviewer turnaroundAcceptance to publicationReceipt to publication
20252.1 d25 d———
20242.9 d28.6 d———
20233 d32 d12 d—111 d
2023 Acceptance to online publication, median: 29 days · Receipt to online publication, median: 57 days · Clinical trials published: 91 · Peer reviewers: 2,724
JAMA Network peers, latest published year
JournalYearReceivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchNo reviewWith review
JAMA202511,52610.4%3.9%2.1 d25 d
JAMA Internal Medicine20254,17812%4%1 d35 d
JAMA Network Open202520,2339.9%—2 d49 d
JAMA Pediatrics20253,32510%5%3 d44 d
JAMA Surgery20253,3219%5%10 d40 d
JAMA Dermatology20253,4137%7%3 d36 d
JAMA Cardiology20252,7939%5%8 d51 d
JAMA Neurology20253,2216%5%4 d35 d
JAMA Psychiatry20252,7258%5%2 d31 d
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery20251,73014%10%8 d50 d
Other top general medicine journals in our 49-journal survey
Trend

How has it changed?

+22%
Manuscripts received, 2023 to 2025
9,476 → 11,526
4% → 3.9%
Research acceptance rate, 2023 to 2025
32 → 25 d
First decision with review, 2023 to 2025
Rejection

What gets papers rejected at JAMA?

The Year in Review editorials publish volumes, rates and timelines; they do not itemize reasons for rejection. This is the general evidence, cited.
statistics #1

In a content analysis of 151 medical-education manuscripts, the top reasons for rejection were inappropriate or incomplete statistics, overinterpretation of results, and inappropriate or suboptimal instrumentation. [12][14]

44–76%

Lack of new or useful knowledge was the most common reason for rejection at AJR, accounting for 44–76% of rejections in every country. [3]

2.58 of 9

BMJ reviewers found an average of 2.58 of nine major errors deliberately inserted into a test paper; training raised this only to about 3. [18]

Before you submit

What JAMA requires.

From the journal's instructions for authors, captured 2026-09-12. Instructions change; verify on the journal's page before submitting.
Original Investigation requirements
  • 3000 words of text for an Original Investigation
  • No more than 5 tables and/or figures
  • Structured abstract
  • Key Points
  • Data Sharing Statement
  • Follow EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines
Reporting guidelines the journal names
  • EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines ("Authors of research articles should follow the EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines")
  • CONSORT for randomized clinical trials
  • Trial registration section
Cover letter: A cover letter is required for all JAMA Network journals except JAMA Network Open (network instructions).
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Sources

Where every number on this page comes from.

  1. Bibbins-Domingo K, Christiansen SL, Curfman G, et al.. 2025 Year in Review and Vision for the Path Ahead. Published online April 13, 2026. 2025 Year in Review and Vision for the Path Ahead (captured 2026-09-12).
  2. Bibbins-Domingo K, Curfman G, Christiansen SL, et al.. 2024 Year in Review and Looking to 2025. April 23, 2025. 2024 Year in Review and Looking to 2025 (captured 2026-09-12).
  3. Bibbins-Domingo K, et al.. 2023 Year in Review and What's Ahead at JAMA. Published online March 8, 2024. 2023 Year in Review and What's Ahead at JAMA (captured 2026-09-12).
  4. JAMA. Instructions for Authors. jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/instructions-for-authors (captured 2026-09-12).
  5. Scimago Journal Rank, 2024 edition: SJR 5.352, Q1, H-index 794, ISSN 15383598, 00987484.

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