Field
STEM
Publishing in the Journal of Innovative Student Research (JISR) is a great opportunity for high school students to share original research, review articles, and case reports across science, technology, and medicine.
As a fully student-led, double-blind, peer-reviewed, open-access journal, JISR values strong methodology, clear analysis, and writing that is accessible to a broad scientific audience. This guide breaks the process down simply to help you understand what JISR looks for and how to prepare a competitive submission.
What Kind of Work Can You Submit?
JISR welcomes original research articles, review articles, and case reports from any area of science, technology, or medicine. Submissions should demonstrate thoughtful scientific reasoning, solid methods, and a meaningful contribution to the field. There is no formal page limit, but all work must be original, unpublished, and entirely the students’ own.
Eligibility
Authors must be students currently enrolled in high school (grades 9–12). Papers may be written individually or by a student team, but the lead author must meet the eligibility requirement. All submissions must be original and not under consideration elsewhere. JISR especially encourages submissions from underrepresented groups, including female students and minority-identifying researchers.
Publication Fee
JISR is fully open access and does not charge any fees for submission or publication.
Submission Process
Students submit their manuscripts through the JISR online portal here. Authors are responsible for following all formatting and submission guidelines closely. Figures, tables, and any supplementary materials should be embedded clearly within the document and labeled according to the journal’s instructions - you can find the details on the RISE guide to apply to JISR.
Review Timeline
All submissions go through JISR’s double-blind peer-review process, with feedback provided by trained student editors and subject-area reviewers. The journal does not specify exact timelines, but all authors receive constructive comments and are expected to respond with revisions promptly. Final publication follows successful revision and editorial approval.
RISE Tips for Getting Accepted
Based on award-winning submissions reviewed by RISE, strong JISR papers generally:
Introduce a clear and focused research question or hypothesis early in the paper.
Use APA-style headings and subheadings to keep ideas organised and easy to follow.
Connect all results directly back to the central research question or hypothesis.
Discuss limitations, alternative explanations, and the boundaries of the study.
Maintain a professional, academic tone without unnecessary jargon.
Use figures, tables, and appendices only when they strengthen the argument or clarify important information.
Application Deadline
JISR accepts submissions on a rolling basis. Authors should check the JISR portal regularly for updates and be prompt in communicating during the review and revision process.
Sample Papers
You can explore previous issues and sample manuscripts here to better understand the journal’s expectations for tone, structure, and depth.
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!
Check out more guides
