Our unique peer review process gives you the chance to submit your research for a rigorous, transparent, and constructive review by experts in your field.
Since 2007 we have been working with the research community to refine our submission process, putting quality and community at the heart of what we offer.
Each manuscript submitted to a Frontiers journal goes through:
a series of research integrity assessments before peer review
multiple checkpoints during review
a final validation before publication.
See our full peer review guidelines
Our peer review is handled by active researchers, carefully appointed according to strict excellence criteria, who certify the validity of research with their names on the published article.
All Frontiers' editors are well-known and respected leaders in their field
Editors assess the process and manuscripts meticulously. The only endorse publication if the reviewers validate the contents of a manuscript
Reviewers are subject experts and evaluate manuscripts using a structured review report. They evaluate the methodology of a study for rigor, and ensure the research provides valid conclusions supported by sufficient data.
With our online forum, authors can have a constructive exchange with reviewers and editors, working together to make improvements to the manuscript.
The names of reviewers and editors appear on published articles, encouraging them to act responsibly and in the best interests of the final article.
The whole process is supported by our experienced in-house peer review team. The team safeguards the integrity and impartiality of the peer review process, resolves issues and delays, and promotes constructive discussion among authors, reviewers, and editors.
AIRA, our AI-powered integrity tool, is built into our platforms and processes to support editors, reviewers, and our teams with the review process.
AIRA runs more than 50 checks before peer review, flagging potential issues like plagiarism, image manipulation, and fabricated content. AI is a partner in the process, not a replacement, and always works in conjunction with human validation.
Learn more about our AI support
Paul Scherrer Institut, Specialty Chief Editor for Frontiers in Materials
"I strongly recommend Frontiers to prospective authors and editors; they're doing really innovative things in the review and publication process, which leads to publishing high-quality content through rigorous, interactive peer review."
An efficient approach. Our custom-built peer review platform guides you smoothly through the review process and alerts you when any action is required. A dedicated peer review team is always on hand to answer questions and provide support for each manuscript in review.
A fair approach, giving all valid science the opportunity to be published. Our peer review process is objective, rigorous and transparent. Reviewers follow a dedicated review questionnaire which ensures their review is constructive and is focused on quality and the validity of results – not perceived impact.
A collaborative approach. Our process means that authors and reviewers engage in a direct online dialogue that enables quick iterations and facilitates consensus. This approach ensures the highest quality manuscript for final publication.
A rigorous approach. Our research integrity team investigates any allegations or signs of misconduct or peer review manipulation during the peer review itself. This includes citation manipulation, false reviewer identification, conflicts of interest, and any activity that may unduly influence the outcome of the review process.
We know researchers' time to contribute by engaging in peer review is limited. And the way researchers are invited to review can be inefficient. Our self-assignment tool enables Frontiers' reviewers to:
browse manuscripts that have been submitted to our journals
identify submissions that match their expertise
support their colleagues, and the community, by offering to review these submissions
contribute as a reviewer when it's convenient to them.
Visit MyFrontiers to find out more.
The platform also allows our editors to maintain control of the peer review process. All community reviewers that volunteer through the platform are vetted by our Associate Editors, Specialty Chief Editors, or Field Chief Editors, to ensure the best possible peer review experience.
See our full principles of peer review and find out what's expected of editors and reviewers taking part
Before publishing with us, learn more about Frontiers' policies and our guidelines for ethical research conduct
Read our author guidelines to learn more about publishing in a Frontiers journal.
Meet our research integrity team and learn about their work to safeguard quality