Proposed Special Issue

Submit a proposal to curate a focused collection in pharmaceutical science and technology.

Why propose a special issue

Special issues spotlight emerging areas, foster collaboration, and attract concentrated readership. JAPST welcomes proposals that address high impact themes in drug discovery, formulation science, clinical pharmacy, regulatory innovation, or translational therapeutics.

Guest editors receive support from the editorial office to ensure review quality and timely publication.

Journal at a glance

ISSN: 2328-0182 | DOI prefix: 10.14302/issn.2328-0182 | License: CC BY 4.0 | Open access publishing.

Benefits of a special issue

• Increased visibility for emerging themes and collaborative research groups.
• Focused readership and stronger citation concentration.
• Opportunity to shape the direction of pharmaceutical science discourse.
• Dedicated editorial support and promotional placement.

Proposal requirements

• Proposed title and scope of the special issue.
• Rationale and relevance to JAPST readership.
• Guest editor information, including affiliations and expertise.
• List of potential contributors or invited topics.
• Estimated timeline for submissions and reviews.

Strong proposals usually outline a target of 8 to 15 manuscripts, a clear guest editor team, and a concise description of the scientific gap the issue will address. A short list of potential contributors or partnering institutions is helpful.

Guest editor responsibilities

Guest editors help shape the issue scope, invite contributors, and provide subject guidance during peer review. Final decisions remain under JAPST editorial oversight to ensure consistent quality and ethics compliance.

Guest editors are expected to respond promptly to reviewer queries and support a fair, transparent review process. They should disclose any conflicts of interest and avoid handling manuscripts where impartiality could be questioned.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals are reviewed by the editorial board for scope fit, novelty, and feasibility. We prioritize topics that introduce new methods, address urgent clinical challenges, or highlight interdisciplinary advances. Proposals should demonstrate an engaged contributor network and a realistic plan for timely submissions.

Approved special issues will receive a dedicated landing page and publication timeline. Alignment with JAPST aims and scope is essential.

Typical timeline

Most special issues run on a 6 to 9 month cycle from proposal approval to publication. This includes a call for papers period, peer review, revision, and production.

We can adjust timelines for urgent or high impact themes when justified. Typical milestones include a six to eight week call for papers window, four to six weeks for peer review, and a rapid production cycle after final acceptance. Exact schedules are agreed in advance overall.

How to submit a proposal

Email your proposal to [email protected] with "JAPST Special Issue Proposal" in the subject line. Our team will respond within two weeks with feedback or next steps.

Once approved, the editorial office will coordinate the call for papers, submission tracking, and reviewer assignments. Approved proposals receive a template call for papers and a dedicated communication channel with the editorial team.

Ready to propose a special issue?

Partner with JAPST to showcase the most relevant advances in pharmaceutical science.