Membership
What membership is, and what it is not
Membership of the Journal of Evolutionary Science is optional and supports the journal's open-access publishing. It is a billing and community arrangement. It does not affect peer review or editorial decisions, and it confers no advantage in the review or acceptance of a member's own manuscripts.
- What it changesThe article processing charge
- What it does not changeHow a manuscript is assessed
- Required to submitNo
Where the line sits
The journal keeps its commercial arrangements and its editorial judgment strictly apart, and says so plainly so that authors, reviewers and readers can hold it to that.
Editorial decisions are based on scope, scientific quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, reporting quality, and relevance to the journal. Those decisions are independent of fees, services, memberships, and editorial roles.
Every manuscript, from a member or not, is screened and reviewed the same way. All submissions undergo initial editorial screening. Manuscripts that meet the journal's scope and minimum requirements proceed to independent peer review. Manuscripts that proceed to external peer review are normally evaluated by at least two independent subject-matter experts. Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request.
Whether a manuscript belongs in this journal is settled by the aims and scope, not by any commercial arrangement.
In one sentence
Membership can change what an accepted article costs. It cannot change whether an article is accepted.
The levels
Annual membership levels and the terms attached to each. Amounts are in US dollars.
| Level | Annual cost | Effect on the article processing charge | Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual researcher | USD 169 | 15% reduction | One |
| Research laboratory | USD 649 | 25% reduction for members of the laboratory | Up to 10 |
| Institutional | By arrangement | Volume terms, agreed with the editorial office | Departmental |
A reduction applies to the charge set out on the article processing charges page and is applied at invoicing, after the editorial decision has already been made. Institutional terms are settled individually; write to [email protected] to discuss them.
What a member receives
The arrangement is practical rather than ceremonial. Each item below is administrative or informational; none of them touches the assessment of a manuscript.
- A reduced article processing charge at the rate shown for the level held, applied when an accepted article is invoiced.
- Named accounts for the individuals covered by the level held, so a laboratory or department can manage its own submissions.
- A membership record confirming the level and period held.
- Journal updates covering calls for papers, policy changes and funder requirements relevant to evolutionary science.
- A collaboration listing on the journal platform, where a member wishes to be listed.
- Does membership speed up review?
- No. Review timing is not a membership term.
- How are editorial decisions made?
- Decisions rest on the criteria above.
- Is it needed in order to submit?
- No. Submission is open to anyone.
- Does it affect who reviews a manuscript?
- No. Reviewers are chosen for subject expertise.
Taking out or renewing a membership
- AskWrite to the editorial office with the level you are interested in, your research focus, and for a laboratory or institution the people it should cover.
- Agree the termsThe editorial office confirms the annual cost, the period, the accounts included and the reduction that will apply at invoicing.
- ActivateThe membership record is issued and the named accounts are set up.
- Use itSubmit as normal. The reduction is applied when an accepted article is invoiced; nothing about the submission or review changes.
Membership terms are settled by the editorial office. If a term you were told about is not described on this page, confirm it in writing before paying.
Asking about membership
Questions about levels, coverage and renewal go to the editorial office, which administers them.