Applied Sciences (Basel) Formatting Requirements: Complete Author Guide
Applied Sciences has no strict word limit (4,000-8,000 words typical) and requires the MDPI template for all submissions. The abstract is ~200 words, references use MDPI numbered style with square brackets, and both Word and LaTeX are accepted.
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Applied Sciences is an open-access multidisciplinary journal published by MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute) in Basel, Switzerland. It covers a wide range of applied science and engineering topics, from materials science and nanotechnology to computer science and environmental engineering. As an MDPI journal, it uses the MDPI template and formatting system, which differs from ACS, Elsevier, and Wiley conventions in several ways. If you're familiar with other MDPI journals (Sensors, Materials, Molecules), the format will be the same. If this is your first MDPI submission, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Quick Answer: Applied Sciences Formatting Essentials
Applied Sciences doesn't enforce a strict word limit (4,000-8,000 words typical). The MDPI template is required for all submissions. The abstract is limited to about 200 words. References use MDPI numbered style with square brackets. Both Word and LaTeX are accepted. The journal uses MDPI's online submission system (Susy).
Word Limits by Article Type
Applied Sciences publishes several article types. None have rigid word limits, but editorial expectations guide appropriate length.
Article Type | Word Limit | Abstract | Figures | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Article (Research) | No strict limit (4,000-8,000 typical) | ~200 words | No formal cap | No formal cap |
Review | No strict limit (6,000-12,000 typical) | ~200 words | No formal cap | No formal cap |
Communication | ~2,500 words | ~200 words | Up to 4 | Up to 20 |
Technical Note | ~3,000 words | ~200 words | Up to 5 | Up to 20 |
Brief Report | ~2,000 words | ~200 words | Up to 3 | Up to 15 |
The absence of a strict word limit for research articles is typical of MDPI journals. That doesn't mean you should write without restraint. MDPI editors and reviewers favor concise papers that present results efficiently. Most published Applied Sciences articles fall between 4,000 and 8,000 words, and going significantly beyond that range without strong justification will raise editorial eyebrows.
Communications are the short format for urgent or preliminary findings. They're constrained but don't need to tell as complete a story as a full research article. Brief Reports are even shorter and are designed for small, focused contributions.
Abstract Requirements
Applied Sciences uses a straightforward abstract format.
- Word limit: Approximately 200 words
- Structure: Unstructured single paragraph
- Citations: Not permitted
- Abbreviations: Avoid non-standard abbreviations; define essential ones at first use
The abstract should state the problem, the methods, the key quantitative results, and the conclusions. MDPI abstracts tend to be functional and direct. Don't waste words on vague statements. Get to the point early and include specific numbers. "We investigated the properties of a composite material" should be replaced with "We fabricated a CNT/epoxy composite with 3 wt% filler loading, achieving a 47% increase in tensile strength and a 23% increase in thermal conductivity compared to neat epoxy."
Figure and Table Specifications
Applied Sciences doesn't impose a strict figure limit, but figures should be relevant and necessary.
Figure formatting requirements:
Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
Resolution | 300 DPI minimum (600 DPI preferred) |
File formats | TIFF, PNG, JPEG, EPS, PDF |
Color mode | RGB |
Maximum width | Column width: 85 mm; Full page: 180 mm |
Font in figures | 8-12 pt, consistent across all figures |
Panel labels | Lowercase in parentheses: (a), (b), (c) |
Table formatting: MDPI uses a specific table style. Every column must have a header. Tables should be clean and simple, with horizontal rules at the top, below the header, and at the bottom. No vertical rules. Footnotes below the table use superscript numbers (not letters, as in some other publishers).
Color figures: Free for all MDPI journals. There's no charge for color in either the online or downloaded PDF versions.
Supplementary Materials: Additional data, figures, tables, and code can be uploaded as supplementary files. These are hosted alongside the article on the MDPI website. Label supplementary figures as Figure S1, S2, etc.
Reference Format: MDPI Numbered Style
Applied Sciences uses the MDPI reference format, which is a numbered system with square brackets.
In-text citations: Square brackets: [1], [2,3], [4-7]. Numbers in order of first appearance.
Reference list format:
1. Last, F.I.; Last, F.I. Title of Article. Journal Name Year, Volume, Page Range.Key formatting details:
- Author names: Last name, then first and middle initials (Last, F.I.)
- Semicolons between authors
- Article title in sentence case
- Journal name in italics, not abbreviated (this differs from most other publishers)
- Year follows journal name
- Volume in bold
- Page range (or article number for online-only journals)
- DOI required
Example:
- Zhang, Y.; Chen, L.; Patel, W.R. Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2/Graphene Composites for Water Purification. Applied Sciences 2026, 16, 1234.
Important difference: MDPI uses full journal titles in italics, not abbreviations. This is one of the most distinctive features of the MDPI reference format and catches authors who are used to abbreviated journal names. "Applied Sciences" stays as "Applied Sciences," not "Appl. Sci."
LaTeX vs Word
Applied Sciences accepts both formats through the MDPI submission system.
For Word users:
- Download the MDPI Word template from the Applied Sciences author guidelines or the MDPI template page
- The template uses a two-column layout with specific formatting for all elements
- Use the template from the start; don't try to reformat a standard manuscript later
For LaTeX users:
- Use the
mdpidocument class:\documentclass[applsci,article]{mdpi} - The MDPI LaTeX template is available from the same template page
- Upload compiled PDF and source files through Susy
- The mdpi.cls file handles formatting, citations, and layout automatically
Both formats are treated equally by the editorial system. MDPI's production team works with both, and there's no preference for one over the other. Choose the format you're most comfortable with.
One note: the MDPI template formats the manuscript in a two-column layout even for the review version. This is different from most publishers, who use single-column double-spaced format for review. Don't reformat the MDPI template to single-column; the reviewers and editors expect the MDPI layout.
Applied Sciences-Specific Formatting Quirks
1. MDPI template is mandatory. Applied Sciences won't accept manuscripts that aren't formatted using the MDPI template. This is strictly enforced. If you submit a manuscript in a generic format, it'll be returned immediately. Download the template before you start writing.
2. Two-column format for review. Unlike most journals, MDPI journals use a two-column formatted layout even for the review version. This means your manuscript will look close to the final published format during review. Don't fight the template; it's intentional.
3. Author contributions section required. Applied Sciences requires an Author Contributions section using the CRediT taxonomy. This must be included in the manuscript, not just submitted as a separate form.
4. Funding section is separate. Funding information must be listed in a dedicated "Funding" section, separate from Acknowledgments. Include grant numbers and funding bodies.
5. Data availability statement required. You must include a Data Availability Statement in the manuscript. MDPI provides standard templates: "Data are available on request," "Data are available in the Supplementary Materials," or custom statements for data deposited in repositories.
6. ORCID required for all authors. MDPI requires ORCID iDs for all authors, not just corresponding authors. This is more strict than most publishers. Make sure all co-authors have ORCID accounts before submission.
7. No supplementary-only results. MDPI journals expect that all essential results are in the main text. Supplementary materials should contain supporting data, not primary findings. Reviewers may flag papers where important results are only in supplementary files.
8. Open access and APCs. Applied Sciences is fully open access, and there's an article processing charge (APC) upon acceptance. The APC doesn't affect the formatting requirements, but it's worth knowing about before submission. MDPI offers waivers for authors from developing countries.
9. Special issue submissions. Many Applied Sciences publications are part of Special Issues, which are organized by guest editors. The formatting requirements are identical regardless of whether you're submitting to the open journal or a Special Issue.
Manuscript Structure for Research Articles
A standard Applied Sciences research article follows this order:
- Title (concise and informative)
- Author names (with ORCID iDs)
- Affiliations
- Abstract (~200 words)
- Keywords (3-10 keywords)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Materials and Methods (or appropriate section title)
- 3. Results
- 4. Discussion (can be combined with Results as "Results and Discussion")
- 5. Conclusions
- Author Contributions (CRediT format)
- Funding
- Data Availability Statement
- Acknowledgments
- Conflicts of Interest
- References
- Appendix (optional, for supplementary content within the manuscript)
- Supplementary Materials (separate files)
The section structure is flexible. You can combine Results and Discussion, add subsections as needed, and adjust section titles to fit your content. Numbered sections are standard.
Common Formatting Mistakes
These cause the most issues at Applied Sciences:
- Not using the MDPI template (manuscripts are returned immediately)
- Using abbreviated journal names in references (MDPI uses full titles)
- Missing ORCID for one or more authors
- Missing Author Contributions section
- Missing Data Availability Statement
- Missing Funding section (even if no funding, include the section)
- Submitting in single-column format instead of the MDPI two-column layout
- Figures below 300 DPI resolution
- Missing Conflicts of Interest statement
Internal Links and Resources
For more context on this journal, check our Applied Sciences submission guide and how to avoid desk rejection at Applied Sciences. For publishing cost details, see the Applied Sciences APC and open access page.
For the official formatting specifications, visit the Applied Sciences instructions for authors.
Get Your Formatting Right Before You Submit
MDPI's formatting system is distinct from the major commercial publishers. The mandatory template, two-column review format, full journal names in references, and ORCID requirements for all authors are all MDPI-specific elements that won't transfer from an ACS or Elsevier submission. Getting these right from the start saves you a round of administrative corrections.
If you'd like to check your manuscript against Applied Sciences formatting standards before submission, try Manusights' free AI manuscript scan. It verifies formatting, references, and structure against journal-specific standards, helping you catch the details that trip up first-time MDPI authors.
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Journal Submission Specs
A high-utility submission table covering word limits, figure caps, reference limits, and formatting expectations.
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