Science Impact Factor 2025 – JCR, Metrics & Overview

Science is the flagship peer-reviewed academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). First published in 1880 and circulated weekly, it occupies a central position in multidisciplinary scientific publishing alongside Nature and Cell. The journal publishes original research, review articles, and commentary spanning the full spectrum of scientific disciplines.

METRICSScience Impact Factor 2025

According to the Journal Citation Reports 2026 edition (Clarivate, released June 2025), Science achieved an Impact Factor of 47.3. This places it in Quartile 1 (Q1) within the Multidisciplinary Sciences category. The 5-Year Impact Factor, which smooths short-term citation fluctuations, typically tracks in the mid-40s range.

SCOPEWhat Does Science Publish?

Science publishes research that significantly advances understanding across biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, medicine, and the social sciences. The editorial team prioritizes papers with broad interdisciplinary significance over incremental advances in narrow subfields.

Article types accepted include:

• Research Articles: Full-length original research with substantial new findings.
• Reports: Shorter, high-impact research papers.
• Reviews: Comprehensive syntheses of active research areas.
• Perspectives and Commentaries: Opinion and analysis pieces on science policy, education, and emerging trends.
• Technical Comments: Critiques and corrections of previously published work.

SUBMISSIONSubmission and Peer Review Process

Manuscripts are submitted through the Science Editorial Manager system. The journal operates a two-stage review: an initial editorial triage by internal editors determines whether a manuscript enters external peer review. Most submissions are rejected at the editorial screening stage without external review.

Researchers should note that Science requires manuscripts to demonstrate broad significance sufficient to interest readers outside the immediate sub-discipline. Authors must prepare a cover letter that articulates why their findings merit publication in a general-audience science journal.

PUBLISHINGOpen Access and Article Processing Charges

Science offers authors an open access option through AAAS’s “Science Advances” model and other AAAS journals. Authors of accepted manuscripts may pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) to make their paper freely available immediately upon publication. Subscription access remains the default publishing model.

Exact APC rates vary by article type and are published on the AAAS author information pages; authors should verify current rates before submission.

EDITORIALEditorial Standards and Ethics

AAAS maintains strict ethical standards for Science. All co-authors must confirm their contribution, data availability statements are mandatory, and competing interests must be disclosed. The journal follows COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines and has retracted papers where data fabrication or plagiarism has been confirmed.

HISTORYBackground and Historical Significance

Science was founded in 1880 by John Michels with financial backing from Thomas Edison. After an initial period of instability, AAAS assumed ownership in 1900. The journal played a historic role in publishing landmark papers including the first mapping of the human genome, the discovery of HIV, and major climate science assessments. Its weekly format and global distribution make it one of the most visible platforms for high-profile scientific announcements.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions