Source: JCI Author Information Center and first-submission instructions (American Society for Clinical Investigation). Summarized by PublicationGod, last checked 22 September 2026. Always confirm details in the official guidelines before submitting. PublicationGod is not affiliated with or endorsed by this journal or its publisher.
Length by submission category
| Category | Length | Display items | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research / Clinical Research and Public Health | Recommended 9,000 words, maximum 12,000 | Up to 9 in the main text; figures up to 10 parts | Count includes title page, text, references, legends and tables |
| Research Letter | Up to 1,200 words | 1 figure or table | Up to 6 references; legend up to 250 words |
| Letter to the Editor | Up to 850 words | 1 figure or table | Up to 5 references; within 1 month of the original article |
Unlike most journals, JCI counts references, legends and tables toward the word limit. Unsolicited reviews, viewpoints and commentaries are not considered.
Title and abstract (Research)
- Title up to 15 words, naming the disease or disease model, with no subtitles, colons, periods or nonstandard abbreviations.
- Abstract up to 200 words in a single paragraph covering rationale, objectives, findings and conclusions, with no primary data or references.
- Clinical Research and Public Health uses a structured abstract of up to 250 words, including trial registration and funding.
Required Methods paragraphs
- Sex as a biological variable: a paragraph at the start of Methods stating which sexes were studied, and the rationale if only one.
- Statistics: a stand-alone paragraph near the end of Methods.
- Study approval: IRB or animal approval, plus written informed consent for human studies.
- Data availability: at the end of Methods, including where data and code can be accessed.
Figures and data
- Quantitative data must be shown as dot plots or box-and-whisker plots. Bar graphs with error bars are not permitted.
- Manuscripts with graphed data need a Supporting Data Values Excel file, one tab per figure panel. It is published on acceptance.
- Full unedited blots and gels are encouraged at first submission, required for revisions, and published.
- State n for each panel, whether tests are one- or two-sided, and define error bars.
Using AI tools
A paragraph titled "AI disclosures" is required, naming the task, the tool and version, and the dates of use, plus a statement that the authors take responsibility for the output. If no AI was used, the manuscript must say so explicitly. Using AI to generate or modify data images is prohibited.
Submission
- A PDF of the whole manuscript plus a Word or RTF file with identical text. No submission fee.
- Name three potential reviewers; up to two may be excluded with reasons.
- Options include dual submission to JCI and JCI Insight, transfer from bioRxiv or medRxiv, and submission with reviews from another journal.
Fees
| Category | Non-members | ASCI members |
|---|---|---|
| Research / Clinical Research and Public Health | $5,800 | $5,600 |
| Research Letter | $2,500 | $2,400 |
| Letter to the Editor | $0 | $0 |
Gold open access under CC BY 4.0; all content is deposited in PubMed Central.
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