PNAS Impact Factor 2026 – Publication Charge, Acceptance Rate, Review Time

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is the flagship multidisciplinary journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Established in 1915, PNAS publishes original research across the biological, physical, and social sciences. The journal is distinguished by its broad scope, global reach, and the unique “Contributed” track that allows NAS members to shepherd manuscripts through peer review.

OVERVIEWPNAS Journal Overview

PNAS publishes original research of exceptional importance spanning the full breadth of scientific disciplines. The journal is committed to making high-quality scientific research broadly accessible and has been a cornerstone of scientific communication for over a century. PNAS publishes research articles, letters, perspectives, reviews, and commentaries, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary work that bridges traditional scientific boundaries.

IMPACT FACTORPNAS Impact Factor 2025

PNAS maintains a 2025 impact factor of 9.5 in the Multidisciplinary Sciences category, holding a Q1 position. The journal’s broad scope and open science policies contribute to its consistent citation performance across diverse research fields.

INDEXINGIndexing and Abstracting

PNAS is indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, BIOSIS Previews, Current Contents, and major agricultural and earth science databases. The journal’s comprehensive indexing ensures research is discoverable across all major academic platforms.

SCOPUSScopus CiteScore

PNAS holds a CiteScore of approximately 15.4 in Scopus, placing it in the 97th percentile of multidisciplinary journals. Articles published in PNAS receive an average of 8-12 citations within the first two years, reflecting the journal’s broad readership and interdisciplinary influence.

SUBJECTSubject Areas

PNAS publishes across all scientific disciplines, organized into three broad categories:

• Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, Plant Biology
• Physical Sciences: Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Engineering, Geology, Geophysics, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics
• Social Sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Political Sciences, Psychology, Sustainability Sciences

PUBLISHERPublisher Information

PNAS is published by the National Academy of Sciences, a private, nonprofit institution established in 1863 by congressional charter. The NAS elects distinguished scientists as members who advise the U.S. government on science and technology matters. PNAS editorial operations are based in Washington, D.C., with production handled in partnership with professional publishing services.

CONTACTContact and Editorial Office

OPEN ACCESSOpen Access Policy

PNAS operates a hybrid open access model. Authors may choose immediate open access for an APC of approximately $2,200 for NAS member-solicited articles and $3,200 for non-member direct submissions. All articles are freely available after six months regardless of access model. PNAS participates in PubMed Central with a six-month embargo.

GUIDELINESAuthor Guidelines

PNAS accepts Research Articles, Brief Reports, Letters, Perspectives, Reviews, and Commentaries. Manuscripts may be submitted through two tracks: (1) Direct submission by any scientist, and (2) “Contributed” track where an NAS member coordinates peer review. All manuscripts must present original, previously unpublished research. Research Articles are limited to 10 pages; Brief Reports to 4 pages. Detailed formatting guidelines are available on the journal website.

METRICSAdditional Metrics and Rankings

SUBMISSIONSubmission and Review Process

PNAS offers two submission tracks. The Direct Submission track is open to all researchers; manuscripts undergo editorial screening before external peer review by 2-3 experts. The Contributed track requires an NAS member to oversee review; members may submit up to 2 contributed articles per year. Both tracks maintain the same standards of scientific rigor. Authors receive an initial decision within 14-21 days.

HISTORYHistory and Background

PNAS was established in 1915 under the leadership of NAS President William H. Welch, with the first issue published in January 1915. The journal was created to provide a venue for Academy members to communicate scientific findings quickly. Over its century-plus history, PNAS has published landmark discoveries including the structure of DNA (1953), the first genome sequence (2001), and foundational work on CRISPR (2012). The journal has evolved from a members-only publication to a globally accessible open science platform.

ETHICSEthics and Policies

PNAS adheres to COPE guidelines and requires disclosure of competing interests, data availability, and authorship contributions. Human and animal studies require appropriate ethics approvals. The journal has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and image manipulation, and uses Crossref Similarity Check and automated image screening tools. PNAS endorses the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

CITATIONCitation Trends and Analysis

PNAS articles demonstrate broad citation patterns across disciplines, with the most-cited papers accumulating 500-2,000+ citations over five years. The journal’s h5-index is approximately 350. PNAS publishes approximately 3,000 articles annually, with an average citation per article of ~12 within the first two years. The journal’s multidisciplinary nature results in citation patterns that span the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

What is the current Impact Factor of PNAS?

The 2025 Impact Factor of PNAS is 9.5, ranking Q1 in Multidisciplinary Sciences.

Is PNAS a Q1 journal?

Yes, PNAS is a Q1 journal in the Multidisciplinary Sciences category.

Who publishes PNAS?

PNAS is published by the National Academy of Sciences, a nonprofit scientific organization chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1863.

What is the acceptance rate for PNAS?

The acceptance rate is approximately 15-18%.

How long does the review process take?

Authors receive a first decision within 14-21 days of submission.

Is PNAS open access?

PNAS operates a hybrid model. Authors may choose immediate OA for $2,200-$3,200, or all articles become free after 6 months.

What types of articles does PNAS publish?

PNAS publishes Research Articles, Brief Reports, Letters, Perspectives, Reviews, and Commentaries across all scientific disciplines.

How do I submit to PNAS?

Manuscripts are submitted through the PNAS Editorial Office at https://www.pnas.org/authors/submitting-your-manuscript.