JAMA Network · General medicine

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

In 2025, JAMA Network Open received 20,233 manuscripts and accepted 9.9% overall. The median first decision took 2 d without peer review and 49 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 Network Open at JAMA Network ↗
Sources: 3 annual editorials · instructions for authors · Scimago 2024
20,233
Manuscripts received, 2025
9.9%
Acceptance rate, 2025
2 d
First decision without review, median
2025
49 d
First decision with review, median
2025
Last verified 2026-09-12
Source: JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2025
Acceptance rate

What is JAMA Network Open’s acceptance rate?

The journal publishes the answer itself. Its 2025 Year in Review editorial reports 20,233 manuscripts received with an overall acceptance rate of 9.9%.

YearAll manuscripts receivedResearch manuscripts receivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchSource
202520,233—9.9%—JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2025
202419,575—10%—JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2024
202314,976—15%12%JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2023
Timelines

How long does JAMA Network Open 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 d49 d———
20242 d44 d13 d58 d145 d
20233 d41 d13 d45 d133 d
2025 Research manuscripts published: 2,006
2024 Manuscripts published: 2,002 · Randomized clinical trials published: 260
2023 Articles published: 2,187
JAMA Network peers, latest published year
JournalYearReceivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchNo reviewWith review
JAMA Network Open202520,2339.9%—2 d49 d
JAMA202511,52610.4%3.9%2.1 d25 d
JAMA Internal Medicine20254,17812%4%1 d35 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?

+35%
Manuscripts received, 2023 to 2025
14,976 → 20,233
15% → 9.9%
Acceptance rate, 2023 to 2025
41 → 49 d
First decision with review, 2023 to 2025
Rejection

What gets papers rejected at JAMA Network Open?

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 Network Open 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
  • Study Type declaration
  • Open access: the instructions page lists "Payment of $4000 and grant of a Publication License to the journal" under the CC-BY-NC-ND licence section (waivers and discounts are described on the same page)
Reporting guidelines the journal names
  • EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines
Cover letter: "A cover letter is recommended with complete contact information for the corresponding author".
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Sources

Where every number on this page comes from.

  1. Fihn SD, Jacobs EA, Kim HS, Tarini BA, Perencevich EN. JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2025. Published online March 24, 2026. JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2025 (captured 2026-09-12).
  2. Fihn SD, Jacobs EA, Kim HS, Perencevich EN. JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2024. March 25, 2025. JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2024 (captured 2026-09-12).
  3. Fihn SD, Rivara FP. JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2023. March 19, 2024. JAMA Network Open—The Year in Review, 2023 (captured 2026-09-12).
  4. JAMA Network Open. Instructions for Authors. jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/pages/instructions-for-authors (captured 2026-09-12).
  5. Scimago Journal Rank, 2024 edition: SJR 3.546, Q1, H-index 154, ISSN 25743805.

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