Field
Humanities, STEM
Publishing in the Journal of Student Research (JSR) is an excellent opportunity for high school researchers to share original scientific work through a peer-reviewed platform.
Because JSR accepts submissions across a range of disciplines and has clear expectations for scientific rigor and clarity, it can feel a little overwhelming at first. This guide breaks the process down simply, helping you understand what JSR looks for and how to prepare a competitive submission.
What Kind of Work Can You Submit?
JSR accepts multiple types of submissions, including AP Research Articles, IB Articles, Honors Research Articles, Research Articles, Review Articles, Research Projects, and Research Posters. Papers may involve experimental work, data analysis, theoretical arguments, or review of prior research. Across all submissions, JSR emphasizes clarity, logical structure, and reproducibility. Students may submit work in natural sciences, physical sciences, engineering, or social sciences.
Eligibility
The first author must be a high school student (grades 9–12). Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere. A teacher or advisor must be listed with their email ID and affiliation included in the submission metadata. Multiple students may collaborate on a paper, but each submission must include the appropriate contributor information.
Publication Fee
JSR requires an Article Processing Charge (APC) which is paid in two phases: USD 50 at submission (pre-review) and USD 299 after the editorial decision (post-review). Up to five authors, including advisors, are free of charge per manuscript. Additional authors must pay USD 25 each once the paper is accepted for publication.
Submission Process
Students submit their manuscript via the JSR online portal. The names and email addresses of all contributing authors, as well as the faculty mentor, teacher, or advisor, must be entered in the contributor metadata during Step 3 of the submission process. Figures, tables, and equations should be embedded in the Word document and labeled correctly, following JSR’s formatting standards. Detailed guidelines and the official Word template are provided on the JSR portal.
Review Timeline
JSR uses a double-blind peer review process to ensure anonymity for both authors and reviewers. Review typically takes 12 to 24 weeks depending on submission volume and complexity. Following the editorial decision—accept, revise, or reject—accepted manuscripts move to editing and production stages. Authors are expected to remain responsive throughout the process, and delays may affect acceptance. For fast-track review (publication within 5–6 weeks), authors can contact technical@jsr.org with their submission ID.
RISE Tips for Getting Accepted
Based on top submissions reviewed by RISE, competitive JSR papers generally:
Present novel and significant research claims
Provide strong, evidence-based support for arguments
Offer clear, detailed, and reproducible methodology
Use well-organized and accessible writing suitable for non-specialist readers
Engage thoughtfully with existing literature, citing sources correctly
Demonstrate originality, scholarly rigor, and analytical depth
Make a clear contribution to student-led research and academic discourse
Use visuals, data, and figures effectively without overwhelming the text
Adhere to ethical research and publication standards
Application Deadline
JSR operates on a rolling submission basis, but authors must follow the portal instructions and payment schedule carefully to ensure their manuscript is reviewed. Fast-track submissions are handled separately with a dedicated timeline.
Sample Papers
You can find the latest issue of the Journal of Student Research here.
RISE Research Program
If you’re a high school student aiming for competitive journals, RISE Research gives you the chance to work one-on-one with mentors from leading universities worldwide. With individualised guidance and support in building independent research projects, students often produce high-quality work suitable for top publications, while also developing a strong academic profile. The program is flexible, accessible globally, and open for applications throughout the year. To explore eligibility, pricing, and how to begin, visit the RISE Research website and take the next step in your academic journey!
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