PNAS vs Science Advances: Which Broad-Scope Journal for Your Paper?

If your paper is strong but not quite Nature or Science material, PNAS and Science Advances are often the next targets. They're both broad-scope, both respected, and both publish across all scientific disciplines. But they have fundamentally different editorial philosophies that matter for your submission strategy.

Head-to-Head

The Key Editorial Differences

PNAS: The Significance Journal

PNAS requires a 120-word Significance Statement with every submission. This isn't filler. It forces you to articulate why your work matters to scientists outside your field. Papers that do this well tend to succeed. Papers that can't explain their significance in plain language tend to fail.

PNAS editorial identity:

• Interdisciplinary work that bridges fields is the clearest fit
• Methodologically rigorous studies with careful statistics
• Social sciences (economics, psychology, political science) are welcome here. PNAS is one of the few high-IF venues for social science research
• The 2022 reforms eliminated the Contributed track (NAS members selecting their own reviewers), making the playing field level for all authors
• Board of Reviewing Editors members identify suitable reviewers; they don't review papers themselves

What PNAS rewards:

• Clear Significance Statements that a non-specialist can understand
• Rigorous, large-scale investigations with strong supplementary materials
• Work that has implications across multiple scientific disciplines
• Rigorous methodology and appropriate statistical analysis

Science Advances: The Speed Journal

Science Advances is known for fast decisions and editorial flexibility. Where PNAS has a 45-day median to first decision, Science Advances often responds within 1-4 weeks. The editors are working scientists, not professional editors, which gives the journal a different review culture.

Science Advances editorial identity:

• Speed matters. Fast decisions, fast publication
• Working-scientist editors who understand your field from the inside
• Flexible formatting. No strict word limit. More figures welcome
• About 80% of submissions come directly, not through Science transfers
• Fully open access, which matters for funder mandates and global readership

What Science Advances rewards:

• Strong science that benefits from open access distribution
• Papers that need longer format than Science can accommodate
• Work at the intersection of science and societal impact
• Solid multidisciplinary research across all fields

Decision Framework

The Cost Difference

This matters more than authors often realize:

• PNAS OA option: ~$2,635
• Science Advances: ~$4,500-5,500

If your grant budget is tight or your institution doesn't cover APCs generously, PNAS's lower cost or hybrid option may be decisive.

Review Process Comparison

PNAS review:

1. Editor assignment (Board of Reviewing Editors)
2. Reviewer identification (2-3 reviewers, ~45 days)
3. Decision (accept, revise, reject)
4. Revision turnaround varies
5. Total: typically 3-6 months to acceptance

Science Advances review:

1. Working-scientist editor evaluates (1-4 weeks)
2. If sent to review: 2-3 reviewers (~4-6 weeks)
3. Decision
4. Total: typically 2-4 months to acceptance

Quality Perception

Both journals are well-respected, but perception varies by field:

• In biology and biomedical sciences: PNAS carries strong historical prestige. Some view it as the next tier below CNS (Cell/Nature/Science).
• In physical sciences and engineering: Both are well-regarded. Science Advances' connection to AAAS/Science carries weight.
• In social sciences: PNAS is clearly the stronger choice. It's one of the most-cited venues for economics, psychology, and political science research.
• In interdisciplinary work: PNAS edges ahead due to its explicit interdisciplinary mission and broad NAS readership.

What If Both Reject You?

Strong alternatives at a similar tier:

Which Should You Submit To First?

The strategic choice depends on three factors: your budget, your timeline, and your paper's scope.

Choose Science Advances if: your paper has broad interdisciplinary appeal, you can cover the $5,000 APC (or your institution has an AAAS agreement), and you want the cachet of a Science-family publication. The faster desk decision (10 days vs 14+ at PNAS) also helps if you're on a tenure clock.

Choose PNAS if: your paper is strong but narrowly focused within a single discipline, cost matters (APCs range $0-1,830 for members), or you have a National Academy member who can contribute the paper. PNAS's member-contributed track, while competitive, can streamline the review process for well-connected PIs.

More Resources

• PNAS journal guide
• Science Advances journal guide
• PNAS acceptance rate
• PNAS submission guide
• Acceptance rates across 50+ journals