Is Your Paper Ready for PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE? How Editors Actually Decide

What this journal actually is

PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE is Elsevier's flagship review journal in materials, founded in 1962. It publishes ~50-80 comprehensive reviews annually. Selectivity is extreme: only commissioned reviews from established leaders in their subfield.

The editorial model: editors identify emerging topics in materials science and invite the top 2-3 experts globally to write reviews. Reviews are typically 15,000-25,000 words with 500+ citations. They synthesize state-of-the-art knowledge, critical gaps, and future directions across a subfield.

The numbers that matter

Impact Factor: 31.4 (2024 JCR). Dramatically highest in materials science. For context: Nature Materials is 37.5, Science is 44. PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE rivals these in impact.

Acceptance Rate: 5-8%. This is the lowest acceptance rate of any journal in materials science. Why? Because only invited reviews are considered, and editors are selective even about who they invite.

Submission Model: Invitation-only. You cannot submit a manuscript uninvited. The journal occasionally publishes "comment" pieces or rebuttals from non-invited authors, but this is rare.

Review Process: Invited reviews are peer-reviewed by 2-3 external experts. Revision rounds are typical. Timeline: 3-6 months from invitation to first decision.

Getting invited to write a review

Editors identify candidates through citation metrics, publication record, and recommendations from the editorial board. Strong signals for consideration: significant publication record in your subfield (20+ papers in the topic area); citation impact (your papers are widely cited); clear expertise with unique perspective on the field's trajectory; recent or ongoing contributions to the field (not historical expertise only).

Should you target this journal?

Not by direct submission. But if you're building a strong publication record and want to eventually be invited to write a PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE review: publish high-impact primary research in your subfield; make your expertise visible (talks, seminars, collaboration); cite your own work appropriately so editors notice your contributions.

Decision cue

If an editor invites you to write a review, that's already your decision made: say yes. It's a recognized mark of scientific leadership in your field. If not yet invited but aspiring to this venue, focus on building your primary research record now.