Nature 'Under Consideration': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your Nature submission shows Under Consideration, here is what each status means, how long each stage typically takes, and when to follow up.
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Decision cue: If your Nature manuscript shows "Under Consideration," the most important signal is time, not the status label itself. Under Consideration at Nature covers everything from initial editorial review to active peer review. If you have been Under Consideration for more than 2 weeks without a rejection, you have almost certainly passed the desk screen.
Quick answer
Nature desk rejects about 60% of submissions within the first week. If your paper is still showing "Under Consideration" after 7 to 10 days, the editors are seriously evaluating it. The status does not distinguish between "editor is reading it" and "reviewers have been invited." The only reliable signal is time.
Nature's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Received | Administrative processing, completeness check | 1 to 2 days |
Under Consideration | Editor evaluating, may be inviting reviewers | Days to weeks |
Under Review (if shown) | Sent to external reviewers | 4 to 8 weeks |
Decision in Process | Editor reviewing reports, preparing decision | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Made | Accept, revise, or reject | Check email |
Nature's system is less granular than some journals. "Under Consideration" is the default status for most of the active editorial period. Some authors report seeing "Under Review" as a separate status when the paper has been sent to reviewers, but this is not always visible.
The desk screen (~60% rejected)
Before your paper reaches reviewers, a Nature editor reads the manuscript and discusses it with the editorial team. This is the steepest filter.
Nature editors are evaluating:
- does the paper report a finding that will interest researchers across multiple fields?
- is the advance substantial enough for the world's most cited general science journal?
- is the evidence package complete and the conclusions well-supported?
- will the result still feel important in five years?
About 60% of submissions are rejected at this stage, usually within 1 week. If you have not received a rejection within 7 to 10 days, your paper has likely passed the desk screen.
A desk rejection from Nature is not a quality judgment. It means the work, however strong, is not broad enough or significant enough for this particular venue. The editor may suggest a more appropriate Nature-family journal (Nature Communications, Nature Methods, a Nature Reviews journal, etc.).
What "Under Consideration" means at each time point
Days 1 to 3: Administrative processing
The editorial office confirms that files are complete. This is routine. Do not read anything into this stage.
Days 3 to 7: Editor reading and team discussion
A primary editor reads the paper and discusses it with colleagues. This is when the desk decision happens. If you receive a rejection, it will likely come during this window.
Days 7 to 14: Reviewer invitation
If the paper passes the desk, editors begin inviting reviewers. Finding the right reviewers for a Nature paper can take time because the journal needs experts who can evaluate the significance across fields, not just the technical quality.
The status may still show "Under Consideration" during this period. Do not assume nothing is happening.
Days 14 to 60: Active peer review
Once reviewers are secured, the review takes 4 to 8 weeks. Nature asks reviewers to return reports within 2 weeks, but actual turnaround varies. Complex or interdisciplinary papers may take longer because the reviewers need to evaluate aspects outside their primary expertise.
Beyond 60 days: Follow up
If you have been Under Consideration for more than 8 weeks with no update, a polite email to the editorial office is reasonable. The delay may be caused by a reviewer who has not returned their report, and the editors may need to find a replacement.
What each decision means
Reject
The most common outcome. At Nature, rejection after review does not mean the science is flawed. It often means the significance was not broad enough or the evidence did not fully support the claims at the level Nature requires. The rejection letter will include reviewer feedback that is valuable regardless of the outcome.
Revise
Nature revision requests are substantial. They typically require new experiments, not just rewriting. If you receive a revision request, the paper has a strong chance of eventual acceptance, but the revision period may be months, not weeks. Take the time to address every point thoroughly.
Accept
Very rare on first round. Almost all Nature acceptances follow at least one round of revision.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 3 days: Administrative issue (formatting, completeness) or immediate scope mismatch. Not a reflection on the science.
- Rejection within 5 to 7 days: Desk rejection. The editors assessed the paper and decided it does not meet Nature's significance threshold.
- Still Under Consideration after 2 weeks: Good sign. You have passed the desk screen.
- Still Under Consideration after 8 weeks: Likely a reviewer delay. Follow up politely.
- Status changes to "Decision in Process": The reviewers have returned reports and the editor is deliberating. Expect a decision within days.
What to do while waiting
- do not contact the editorial office during the first 6 weeks unless you have an urgent reason
- prepare mentally for the possibility of revision requests that require new experiments
- do not submit the same paper elsewhere while it is under consideration at Nature
- if you posted a preprint, you can continue to present the work at conferences
- read recent Nature papers in your field to understand the current editorial standard
How Nature compares to nearby alternatives for status tracking
Feature | Nature | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | ~60% | ~50% | ~30% | ~70 to 80% |
Desk decision speed | 5 to 7 days | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 5 to 10 days |
Status granularity | Low (Under Consideration covers most stages) | Moderate | Moderate (Under Evaluation) | Moderate |
Total review time | 4 to 8 weeks after desk | 4 to 8 weeks after desk | 4 to 8 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
Revision scope | Often requires new experiments | Often requires new experiments | Usually addressable | Often requires new experiments |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If you are reading this because your Nature paper is Under Consideration and has been for more than a week, the most likely scenario is that you have passed the desk screen and reviewers are being invited or are actively reviewing. This is a strong position. Be patient and prepare for the possibility that a revision request, if it comes, will be substantial.
Check whether your paper is ready to submit with a free readiness scan. It takes about 60 seconds.
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