Field
STEM, Humanities
Publishing in the Young Scientists Journal (YSJ) is an excellent opportunity for high school and undergraduate students to share original scientific work through a fully student-run, peer-reviewed, open-access platform.
As YSJ accepts submissions across a wide range of disciplines and emphasizes methodology, clarity, and analytical rigour, it can feel a little overwhelming at first. This guide breaks the process down simply, helping you understand what YSJ looks for and how to prepare a competitive submission.
What Kind of Work Can You Submit?
YSJ accepts submissions from any scientific discipline, including natural sciences, social sciences, medicine, technology, and environmental studies. Submissions can be original research articles, review articles, or blog/magazine-style pieces. Across all submissions, YSJ emphasises sound methodology, logical structure, clear analysis, and accessible language for a broad, educated audience.
Eligibility
Authors must be high school or undergraduate students - specifically between the ages of 12 and 20. Students may submit individually or as part of a research team, but the primary author must meet the age requirement. All submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere. Consulting teachers or mentors is encouraged but not required, and mentors should only be co-authors if they contributed substantially to the research.
Publication Fee
YSJ does not charge any submission or publication fees. All articles are open access and published online under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). Authors retain copyright while granting YSJ first-publication rights and may reuse or adapt their work with proper citation.
Submission Process
Students submit their manuscript via the YSJ online form here. Authors provide details including their name, short biography (≤50 words), contact information, and a photograph. Figures, tables, and equations should be embedded in the Word document and properly labeled according to YSJ guidelines. You can find the detailed author and reference guides in the official RISE guide to apply to YSJ as well as on the official YSJ website.
Review Timeline
YSJ follows a structured review process:
Initial Editorial Screening (1–2 weeks): Checks for eligibility, completeness, and adherence to guidelines.
Peer Review & Feedback (4–6 weeks): Subject experts assess originality, quality, and clarity, providing constructive feedback.
Revisions (2–3 weeks): Authors revise manuscripts based on reviewer comments.
Final Copy-Editing & Publication (3–4 weeks): Accepted papers undergo copy-editing, formatting, and final approval before publication.
RISE Tips for Getting Accepted
Based on top submissions reviewed by RISE, competitive YSJ papers generally:
Present well-defined, focused research questions grounded in existing literature.
Provide structured and critical argumentation with logical progression of ideas.
Use clear, objective writing, supporting claims with evidence and using figures or tables to clarify points.
Draw meaningful conclusions that connect findings to broader scientific, theoretical, or real-world contexts.
Reflect originality, analytical depth, and scholarly rigor, while demonstrating careful methodology.
Application Deadline
YSJ accepts submissions on a rolling basis, so you can submit at any time of the year. However, submissions in Chemistry, Computer Science, and Medicine are currently facing a backlog, so processing may take longer than usual.
Sample Papers
You can find past publications and sample submissions on the YSJ website 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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