Q: What are the impact factors of the AACR journals?
A: Impact factor and other important journal metrics can be found on the Impact Factor and Other Metrics page.
Q: I have not previously submitted a manuscript to one of the AACR journals. How can I submit a manuscript for consideration?
A: All manuscripts must be submitted through the AACR SmartSubmit system. If you do not already have an account in the system, you can easily create one by clicking the “New Authors Should Register Here” link on the log on page of the journal to which you are submitting your work. You can log on to the journals as follows:
Q: I cannot recall my log-in name and/or password for the SmartSubmit system. How can I retrieve this information?
A: On the bottom of the log-in screen, click the “Forgot your Password? Click Here” link. When the screen redraws, you will be prompted to enter your e-mail address. The log-in information will then be sent to you via e-mail.
Q: Is there a standard font and point size I should use for my submission?
A: Please double-space the manuscript using 12 point Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman font. Be sure to number all pages.
Q: What are the length restrictions for manuscripts submitted to AACR journals?
A: The word counts and figure limits vary among the different manuscripts types for each journal. Please see the Instructions for Authors page for exact restrictions.
Q: What are the acceptable file formats to use when uploading an original manuscript/revised manuscript?
A: The following are acceptable file formats for NEW submissions:
When submitting revised papers, original source files MUST be submitted. Acceptable file formats for revised manuscripts are:
Q: When uploading files in the SmartSubmit system, what is the difference between the “review only” and “publication only” options for supplementary data?
A: When uploading supplementary files, selecting “Review Only” will allow reviewers and editors to see your supplementary files. However, this data will not be available to readers if your manuscript is accepted for publication. “Publication Only” refers to data that will be made available to reviewers and editors during the peer review process as well as readers if your article is published.
Q: Do you have instructions on creating digital signatures for copyright transfer and conflict of interest disclosure forms?
A: Download a PDF of instructions on creating digital signatures: Creating Digital Signatures
(PDFs require Adobe Acrobat Reader — click icon for free download: )
Q: After I approved the conversion of my files and submitted them for consideration, I noticed a mistake in one of the files. How can I have the manuscript returned so that the mistake can be corrected?
A: You may contact the journal office by logging into the SmartSubmit site and locating the manuscript through the “Live Manuscripts” link. Once the screen redraws, click the “Send MS Correspondence” link, select “Staff” as the recipient, and type your message into the text box provided.
Q: How can I track my manuscript’s status through the review process?
A: Log on to the SmartSubmit site and locate the manuscript through the “Live Manuscripts” link. Click the “View Manuscript” link to get to the manuscript details page. On this page, scroll to the bottom portion of the screen and click the “Check Status” link. When the screen redraws, scroll down and you will find a table that will provide a detailed status report.
Q: How do I pay the $75 manuscript submission fee? (Cancer Research only)
A: Payment should be made via credit card at the time of online submission. Upon completion of the online submission process, authors will be directed to a secure site for remitting payment. Authors who are unable to pay by credit card at the time of submission must contact Ms. Jeri Williams of the AACR Finance Office at jeri.williams@aacr.org to make other arrangements.
Q: How can I obtain a receipt for a manuscript submission fee? (Cancer Research only)
A: After you have completed your payment in the SmartSubmit system, a printable payment confirmation screen will display. If you require further documentation, please contact Ms. Jeri Williams of the AACR Finance Office at jeri.williams@aacr.org.
Q: My manuscript was not accepted for publication and I would like to appeal this decision. How should I go about this?
A: Policies on requesting reconsideration of previously rejected manuscripts are provided in the Submission Procedures section of the Instructions for Authors.
Q: How long after receipt of the acceptance letter should I expect to receive my page proofs?
A: Page proofs are sent approximately two to three weeks after the date of the acceptance letter.
Q: I have received proofs for my accepted article but I do not understand what the notations in the margin of the proofs are.
A: The margin callouts are as follows:
Q: Can a figure be printed in black and white in the print journal and in color in the online journal?
A: Figures must be the same (either in color or black and white) both in print and online. Please note also that once the printer has rendered your figures in color, you will incur the color cost even if you revert to black and white.
Q: I have been queried to send new, higher-resolution figure files back with my proof corrections. These files are too large to send by e-mail. How should I send them?
A: Figures too large (larger than 12 MB) to send by e-mail should be uploaded to our FTP site. Instructions for upload to FTP can be obtained by contacting the journal that accepted your manuscript. Journal e-mail addresses are as follows:
Q: Can I make changes to my article’s title or authorship at the proof stage?
A: Although it is discouraged, changes may be made to an article’s authorship or title at the proof stage. However, both of these changes require signed statements from all authors approving these changes. Failure to provide these will result in a delay in publication.
Q: In the past, I received a hard copy publication fee/reprint order form but one was not included for my most recently accepted article. What should I do?
A: Our mechanism for publication fee payment has changed. You may now pay publication fees and order reprints on the Publication Fee Payments and Reprint Orders page.
Q: In the process of revising my manuscript, it has become necessary to add (or remove) an author from the previous author list. What steps need to be taken?
A: Please note this information in the cover letter and the manuscript file when you resubmit. In addition, the AACR journals require written notification from each author on the paper (including those being added or removed) stating that they are aware of and agree to the change. For your convenience, we offer a template form which authors can use to collect the signatures. The form is available for download: Authorship Change Form.