Is Applied Sciences a good journal?

Applied Sciences is a strong target for manuscripts that match its scope and pass its main editorial fit screen. Key fit signal: Present technology or material addressing real application need. Main risk: Applied Sciences expects application relevance.

What is the acceptance rate of Applied Sciences?

Manusights has not verified a current acceptance rate for Applied Sciences. Check the publisher source for current data; this does not mean the publisher reports none. One common reason papers fail is material or design development without practical application context.

How long does Appl. Sci. take to review?

Applied Sciences's current journal metrics list 15 days median to first decision (first half of 2026). Expect an editorial screen first, then manuscript preparation, then peer review.

How much does it cost to publish in Applied Sciences?

Applied Sciences applies a publication fee, and the current page-level figure we track is CHF 2,400. Reconfirm the official pricing page before budgeting because publisher fees can change.

Is Applied Sciences peer reviewed?

Yes, Applied Sciences is peer reviewed. Reviewers assess methods, reporting completeness, scope fit, and whether the conclusions are supported by the data.

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Journal Guide

Publishing in Applied Sciences: Fit, Timeline & Submission Guide

Applied research across engineering, materials, and technology development

Should you submit here?

IF 2.9 · Acceptance rate not published by the journal · 15 days median to first decision (first half of 2026)Last reviewed Oct 10, 20261 official · 0 estimated · 1 unverified signals

Best fit if

Present technology or material addressing real application need

Not ideal if

Applied Sciences expects application relevance

Also compare

Carbohydr. Polym.and Materials

2.9

Impact Factor

Not published by the journal

Acceptance Rate

15 days median to first decision (first half of 2026)

Time to First Decision

Readiness Scan

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What Appl. Sci. Publishes

Applied Sciences published by MDPI is an open-access multidisciplinary journal covering applied research across engineering, materials, technology, and related fields. With a 2025 JIF of 2.9 in the 2026 JCR release, Applied Sciences emphasizes research with practical application rather than scarcity prestige. The journal publishes research on materials engineering, mechanical systems, control, and technology development. Critically: Applied Sciences values work addressing practical problems with functional solutions. Pure theoretical analysis without application context is less competitive. The journal seeks papers showing how research advances real-world technology.

Materials engineering: polymers, composites, ceramics, coatings
Mechanical engineering: design, optimization, mechanical systems
Control systems: automation, robotics, intelligent control
Manufacturing and processing: industrial processes, production technology
Environmental technology: pollution control, waste management, remediation
Energy systems: renewable energy, power generation, energy efficiency
Chemical engineering: process design, catalysis, separation
Instrumentation and measurement: sensors, testing, characterization

Manusights editorial analysis

Applied Sciences publishes engineering and applied research advancing real-world technology. We seek novel materials or systems with demonstrated practical utility and clear path to implementation.

What Appl. Sci. Editors Look For

Novel approach or material solving practical engineering problem

Present technology or material addressing real application need. Improved mechanical properties? Better environmental performance? Enhanced manufacturing efficiency? Show practical utility and quantify benefits.

Complete characterization and performance validation

Rigorously characterize material or system: mechanical properties, thermal behavior, chemical stability as relevant. Validate performance under realistic conditions. Testing in relevant application context essential.

Design methodology and optimization for practical implementation

Show design thinking and optimization approach. How were parameters selected? What design constraints were addressed? Engineering methodology strengthens papers.

Economic and manufacturability feasibility assessment

Address production cost and manufacturing feasibility. Can this be made at scale? What equipment and skills required? Practical manufacturability crucial.

Comparison with existing solutions and clear advantages

Show how your approach outperforms conventional alternatives. What advantages justify adoption? Cost-benefit analysis strengthens positioning.

Why Papers Get Rejected

These patterns appear repeatedly in manuscripts that don't make it past Appl. Sci.'s editorial review:

Material or design development without practical application context

Applied Sciences expects application relevance. Developing material with interesting properties without showing how it solves real engineering problem is insufficient.

Laboratory-scale results without manufacturability discussion

Show how material or system can be scaled to practical production. Lab-scale without manufacturing pathway has limited real-world impact.

Incomplete performance characterization

Rigorous testing under relevant conditions essential. Partial characterization or testing under non-realistic conditions weakens papers.

No economic or cost analysis

Engineering decisions driven by cost. Show material or system cost relative to performance and compare with existing solutions.

Weak comparison with state-of-the-art

Show quantitatively how your material or approach compares with current commercial or academic solutions.

Does your manuscript avoid these patterns?

The Free Readiness Scan reads your full manuscript against Appl. Sci.'s criteria and flags the specific issues most likely to cause rejection.

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Manusights submission tips for Appl. Sci.

Sustainable materials and green engineering increasingly competitive

Materials with environmental benefits (biodegradable, recycled, low-impact manufacturing) align with sustainability priorities.

Industry-relevant materials like composites and high-performance polymers valued

Materials with proven industrial applications or addressing manufacturing challenges receive strong editorial interest.

Novel processing methods enabling cost or performance improvements competitive

Manufacturing innovations improving efficiency or reducing cost have practical industrial relevance.

Functional materials (smart, responsive, multi-functional) trending

Materials with active properties or multi-functional behavior increasingly competitive.

Life-cycle assessment and sustainability metrics increasingly important

Papers addressing full environmental impact over product lifetime more competitive than short-term benefits alone.

The Appl. Sci. Submission Process

Manuscript preparation

Prep

5,000-8,000 words with 5-7 figures. Include material/system description, complete characterization data, performance testing under realistic conditions, manufacturability discussion, economic analysis, and comparison with alternatives.

Submission via MDPI system

Day 0

Submit at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/. Required: manuscript emphasizing practical application and advantages, figures showing characterization and performance, cover letter highlighting novelty.

Editorial assessment

1-2 weeks

Editor assesses practical relevance and novelty. Papers lacking application context or manufacturability discussion face lower priority. Moderate desk rejection ~15-25%.

Peer review

60-90 days

2-3 engineering experts assess novelty, characterization rigor, practical significance. First decision 60-90 days.

Revision and publication

Revision: 2-4 weeks

Revisions often request additional testing or cost analysis. Publication 1-3 weeks after acceptance (fast MDPI OA).

Appl. Sci. by the Numbers

2025 Impact Factor	2.9
5-Year Impact Factor	3.0
Acceptance rate	Not published by the journal
Desk rejection rate	~15-25%
Median first decision(MDPI journal home page, checked 2026-10-10)	15 days median to first decision (first half of 2026)
Open access APC	CHF 2,400
Publisher	MDPI
Founded	2013

Before you submit

Appl. Sci. accepts a small fraction of submissions. Make your attempt count.

Start with the Free Readiness Scan. Unlock the Full Review from $39, with local pricing shown before checkout. If you need deeper submission planning, choose the Submission-Ready Dossier. The full report is calibrated to Appl. Sci..

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Article Types

Research Article

5,000-8,000 words

Applied technology or material with characterization and testing

Review

7,000-12,000 words

Applied engineering topic review

Landmark Appl. Sci. Papers

Papers that defined fields and changed science:

Novel polymer composites (various) - improved structural materials
Manufacturing process innovations (various) - efficiency improvements
Smart material development (2010s+) - responsive functional materials
Sustainable material alternatives (2010s+) - green engineering solutions

Preparing a Appl. Sci. Submission?

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Primary Fields

Materials EngineeringMechanical SystemsManufacturingRenewable EnergySustainability

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