International Journal of Molecular Sciences Submission Guide: Requirements, Formatting and What Editors Want

International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) is published by MDPI and is one of the largest open-access molecular science journals by volume. The 2024 JIF is 4.9 (JCR 2024), Q1 in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The journal's fast review process and broad scope make it a popular choice for researchers who need a reliable indexed publication.

Here's exactly what you need to prepare a successful submission.

What IJMS publishes

IJMS covers molecular science broadly, including:

• Biochemistry: Enzyme kinetics, metabolomics, protein biochemistry, lipid biology
• Molecular biology: Gene expression, RNA biology, epigenetics, molecular mechanisms
• Cell biology: Cell signaling, cell cycle, organelle biology, microscopy-based studies
• Immunology: Innate and adaptive immunity, cytokines, immune cell biology
• Structural biology: Protein structure, computational modeling, cryo-EM, NMR
• Bioinformatics: Computational methods, data analysis, database development with biological application
• Genetics and genomics: Variant analysis, population genetics, functional genomics

IJMS publishes both original research articles and reviews. Reviews are not by invitation only; you can submit unsolicited reviews if the topic fits the scope.

What IJMS doesn't publish: clinical trials, epidemiological studies, purely applied biomedical work without a molecular science component, engineering papers.

Article types and length

Most authors submit Research Articles. Reviews are well-suited to IJMS because the journal's broad readership benefits from accessible synthesis of a molecular topic.

MDPI submission system

IJMS uses MDPI's proprietary online submission system. The process:

1. Register at supr.mdpi.com (MDPI's unified submission platform)
2. Select the journal (International Journal of Molecular Sciences) and article type
3. Upload your manuscript files:

• Main manuscript (Word .docx or LaTeX .tex)
• Figures (separate files at 300 dpi minimum)
• Supplementary materials (if any)

1. Complete the submission form: abstract, keywords, cover letter, author information, conflict of interest
2. Pay or confirm APC: You'll need to confirm the APC (2,900 CHF) or apply for a waiver at submission

MDPI's system checks for formatting compliance automatically. Papers that don't meet format requirements get returned for revision before editorial review.

Formatting requirements

Manuscript template: MDPI provides a Word template that applies their formatting automatically. Using the template is strongly recommended -- it handles margins, fonts, heading styles, and reference formatting. Download from the IJMS author instructions page.

Sections: Introduction, Results, Discussion, Materials and Methods, Conclusions (optional but recommended), References. MDPI uses a Results + Discussion structure where the two can be combined or kept separate.

Abstract: 200 words maximum. No citations. Should summarize background, methods, key results, and significance. MDPI indexes abstracts separately, so make it keyword-rich.

Keywords: 5-10. Mix specific molecular targets with general category terms.

Figures: 300 dpi minimum. TIFF, EPS, or PNG preferred. Figures can be embedded in the main text during review. Final production will extract them separately.

Tables: In the main text. Complex tables can go in supplementary materials.

References: MDPI uses numbered references [1], [2] etc. in the text with a numbered reference list. The template handles this automatically. MDPI's reference style includes DOIs for all references.

Author contributions: Required. Use CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) format: "Conceptualization, J.S. and M.L.; Methodology, J.S.; ..." etc.

Data availability statement: Required. Specify data repository (Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad, or journal-specific repository) and DOI if available. If data can't be shared, explain specifically why.

Ethics statement: Required for human subjects research (include IRB number) and animal studies (include institutional protocol number). Cell line papers should note source and authentication.

Conflict of interest statement: Required. MDPI takes COI disclosure seriously; be thorough.

Cover letter

MDPI's cover letter is shorter and less influential than at high-selectivity journals. It still matters for framing. Include:

1. Article type and title
2. 2-3 sentences on what the paper shows and why it's novel
3. Confirmation that the paper is not under consideration elsewhere
4. APC payment confirmation or waiver request reason

The cover letter won't rescue a paper outside scope, but a clear cover letter helps editors route your paper to an appropriate academic editor quickly.

What editors screen for

IJMS does desk-reject papers, though at a lower rate than higher-impact journals. Common desk rejection triggers:

Out of scope. Clinical endpoints without a molecular science component, engineering papers, or pure computational work without biological context.

Incomplete methodology. Missing reagent details, cell line authentication, antibody clone information, or statistical methods.

Missing ethical documentation. Human samples or animal work without the required ethics statement and approval numbers.

No data availability statement. MDPI enforces this rigorously; missing it gets the paper returned immediately.

Obvious methodological problems. Underpowered studies, statistical errors visible from the abstract, or claims that dramatically overreach the data.

APC and waivers

IJMS charges 2,900 CHF (approximately $3,200 USD at 2026 rates). This is paid after acceptance, not at submission.

Waivers are available for:

• Authors from low-income countries (automatic full waiver)
• Authors with documented financial hardship (partial or full waiver on application)
• Authors whose institutions have MDPI agreements (check MDPI's institutional membership list)

Apply for a waiver at submission by selecting the waiver option in the submission form. MDPI reviews these quickly.

After submission

IJMS's editorial process is fast. You'll typically hear within a few days whether the paper is moving to external review. Once in review, expect a decision in 15-30 days total. For the full timeline breakdown, see IJMS review time.

After acceptance, MDPI's production process is extremely fast. Papers go live with a DOI within 3-5 days of final acceptance.

Alternatives to IJMS

If IJMS doesn't fit for any reason, consider:

• Cells (MDPI, JIF 5.1): Same process, slightly higher JIF, more cell biology focus
• Biomolecules (MDPI, JIF 4.8): More structural and biochemistry emphasis
• FEBS Letters (JIF 3.5, Wiley): Faster than FEBS Journal, strong for molecular biology
• Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (JIF 3.3, Elsevier): Fast, accessible, large volume

For the complete journal overview, see the IJMS journal page. For an assessment of whether IJMS is the right venue for your work, see Is IJMS a Good Journal?. Our pre-submission review service covers scope fit and submission readiness.

Impact factor source: Clarivate Journal Citation Reports, JCR 2024.