2017 REPORT
We are a community-driven open-access publisher
Key facts
Frontiers is a leading open-access academic publisher and Open Science platform

Our mission is to empower researchers with innovative solutions that improve how science is reviewed, published, evaluated and disseminated to researchers and the public.

Our Open Science platform has been adopted by over 284,000 authors and 71,000 editors from the world’s top institutions, making our editorial board the largest and one of the most prestigious in the world.
Last updated: 25 th June 2017
Article Citations (total Scopus)
424,134
Articles published (total)
65,081
Articles published (per year)
Article views & downloads (total)
271,426,558
Map Views & Downloads
Open-access journals (total)
Academic disciplines (total)
59
463
Institutional Agreements (total)
50
Top institutional affiliations
Institutions
Total
Editors
71,165
Authors
284,194
Users
361,541
National Institutes of Health
Harvard University
The Max Planck Society
University College London (UCL)
Stanford University
University of Michigan
CNR - Italian National Research Council
University of Florida
INSERM - French National Institute of Health and Medical Research
CSIC - Spanish National Research Council
King’s College London
University of California, Davis
UCLA - University of California, Los Angeles
University of Oxford
Sapienza University of Rome
University of Minnesota
Yale University
Monash University
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
University of Southern California
Imperial College London
University of Cambridge
UCSD - University of California, San Diego
Ohio State University
The University of Queensland Australia
University of Melbourne
Karolinska Institute
McGill University
University of Pennsylvania
Cornell University
Emory University
University of Washington
University of São Paulo
University of Edinburgh
University of Padova
University of Sydney
University of Toronto
University of Zürich
Duke University
Washington University in St Louis
Columbia University
UCSF - University of California, San Francisco
Pennsylvania State University
Vanderbilt University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of New South Wales
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Naples Federico II
University of Bologna
Editors (total)
71,165
Editors’ geographical locations
World Map
43%
Europe
35%
North
America
14%
Asia
4%
Oceania
3%
South
America
1%
Africa
Authors (total)
284,194
Authors’ geographical locations
World Map
40%
Europe
24%
North
America
28%
Asia
3%
Oceania
4%
South
America
1%
Africa
News mentions of articles (total)
Twitter mentions of articles (total)
14,209
354,556
Journal Citations
Our 2017 analysis of journal impact shows Frontiers journals lead in citations in their fields and rank in the top Impact Factor Percentiles.
*The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports (JCR), released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. Read the full analysis here.
Frontiers journals in the top Impact Factor Percentiles
Frontiers journals (in red) cover 20 JCR categories, reaching as high as the 96th percentile of Impact Factors.
  • Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
    IF 4.504
    Most cited journals in Neurosciences
    Journals
    Citations
    Most cited open-access journals in Neurosciences
    Journals
    Citations
    The Frontiers in Neuroscience journal series is the 1st most cited in Neurosciences. With an Impact Factor of 4.504, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience is the 5th most cited open-access journal in Neurosciences. It is also the 4th most cited Geriatrics & Gerontology journal in the world.
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience here.
    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Neurosciences category included 259 journals overall, and 37 open-access journals. The 2016 JCR Geriatrics & Gerontology category included 4,9 journals overall, and 8 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
  • Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
    IF 3.104
    Most cited journals in Neurosciences
    Journals
    Citations
    Most cited open-access journals in Neurosciences
    Journals
    Citations
    The Frontiers in Neuroscience journal series is the 1st most cited in Neurosciences. With an Impact Factor of 3.104, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience is the 4th most cited open-access journal in Neurosciences. It is also the 5th most cited Behavioral Sciences journal in the World.
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience here.
    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Neurosciences category included 259 journals overall, and 37 open-access journals. The Behavioral Sciences category included 5,2 journals overall, and 3 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
  • Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
    IF 4.300
    Most cited open-access journals in Microbiology
    Journals
    Citations
    With an Impact Factor of 4.300, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology is the 5th most cited open-access journal in Microbiology.
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology here.
    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Microbiology category included 124 journals overall, and 19 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
  • Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
    IF 4.555
    Most cited journals in Neurosciences
    Journals
    Citations
    Most cited open-access journals in Neurosciences
    Journals
    Citations
    The Frontiers in Neuroscience journal series is the 1st most cited in Neurosciences. With an Impact Factor of 4.555, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience is the 2nd most cited open-access journal in Neurosciences.
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience here.
    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Neurosciences category included 259 journals overall, and 37 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
  • Frontiers in Chemistry
    IF 3.994
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Chemistry here.
  • Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience
    IF 2.653
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience here.
  • Frontiers in Endocrinology
    IF 3.675
    Most cited open-access journals in Endocrinology & Metabolism
    Journals
    Citations
    With an Impact Factor of 3.675, Frontiers in Endocrinology is the 2nd most cited open-access journal in Endocrinology & Metabolism.
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Endocrinology here.
    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Endocrinology & Metabolism category included 138 journals overall, and 16 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
  • Frontiers in Genetics
    IF 3.789
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Genetics here.
  • Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
    IF 3.209
    Most cited journals in Psychology
    Journals
    Citations
    Most cited journals in Neurosciences
    Journals
    Citations
    With an Impact Factor of 3.209, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience is the 1st most cited Psychology journal in the world. It is also the 8th most cited Neurosciences journal in the world.
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Human Neuroscience here.
    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Psychology category included 77 journals overall, and 2 open-access journals. The Neurosciences category included 259 journals overall, and 37 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
  • Frontiers in Immunology
    IF 6.429
    Most cited journals in Immunology
    Journals
    Citations
    Most cited open-access journals in Immunology
    Journals
    Citations
    With an Impact Factor of 6.429, Frontiers in Immunology is the 5th most cited Immunology journal in the world. It is also the 1st most cited open-access journal in Immunology.
    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Immunology here.
    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Immunology category included 150 journals overall, and 18 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
  • Frontiers in Microbiology
    IF 4.076
    Most cited journals in Microbiology
    Journals
    Citations
        With an Impact Factor of 4.076, Frontiers in Microbiology is the 3rd most cited Microbiology journal in the world.
        Read the full Report for Frontiers in Microbiology here.
        The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Microbiology category included 124 journals overall, and 19 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
      • Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
        IF 5.076
        Read the full Report for Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience here.
      • Frontiers in Neural Circuits
        IF 3.879
        Read the full Report for Frontiers in Neural Circuits here.
      • Frontiers in Neuroanatomy
        IF 3.267
        Most cited journals in Neurosciences
        Journals
        Citations
        Most cited open-access journals in Neurosciences
        Journals
        Citations
        The Frontiers in Neuroscience journal series is the 1st most cited in Neurosciences. With an Impact Factor of 3.267, Frontiers in Neuroanatomy is the 10th most cited open-acess journal in Neurosciences. It is also the 2nd most cited Anatomy & Morphology journal in the world.
        Read the full Report for Frontiers in Neuroanatomy here.
        The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Neurosciences category included 259 journals overall, and 37 open-access journals. The 2016 JCR Anatomy & Morphology category included 2,1 journals overall, and 1 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
      • Frontiers in Neuroinformatics
        IF 3.870
        Read the full Report for Frontiers in Neuroinformatics here.
      • Frontiers in Neurology
        IF 3.552
        Most cited open-access journals in Clinical Neurology
        Journals
        Citations
            With an Impact Factor of 3.552, Frontiers in Neurology is the 2nd most cited open-access journal in Clinical Neurology.
            Read the full Report for Frontiers in Neurology here.
            The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Clinical Neurology category included 194 journals overall, and 13 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
          • Frontiers in Neurorobotics
            IF 2.486
            Read the full Report for Frontiers in Neurorobotics here.
          • Frontiers in Neuroscience
            IF 3.566
            Most cited journals in Neurosciences
            Journals
            Citations
            Most cited open-access journals in Neurosciences
            Journals
            Citations
                The Frontiers in Neuroscience journal series is the 1st most cited in Neurosciences. With an Impact Factor of 3.566, Frontiers in Neuroscience is the 3rd most cited open-access journal in Neurosciences.
                Read the full Report for Frontiers in Neuroscience here.
                The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Neurosciences category included 259 journals overall, and 37 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
              • Frontiers in Pediatrics
                IF 2.172
                Read the full Report for Frontiers in Pediatrics here.
              • Frontiers in Pharmacology
                IF 4.400
                Most cited open-access journals in Pharmacology & Pharmacy
                Journals
                Citations
                    With an Impact Factor of 4.400, Frontiers in Pharmacology is the 1st most cited open-access journal in Pharmacology & Pharmacy.
                    Read the full Report for Frontiers in Pharmacology here.
                    The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Pharmacology & Pharmacy category included 256 journals overall, and 20 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
                  • Frontiers in Physiology
                    IF 4.134
                    Most cited journals in Physiology
                    Journals
                    Citations
                        With an Impact Factor of 4.134, Frontiers in Physiology is the 2nd most cited Physiology journal in the world.
                        Read the full Report for Frontiers in Physiology here.
                        The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Physiology category included 84 journals overall, and 7 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
                      • Frontiers in Plant Science
                        IF 4.298
                        Most cited journals in Plant Sciences
                        Journals
                        Citations
                            With an Impact Factor of 4.298, Frontiers in Plant Science is the 1st most cited Plant Sciences journal in the world.
                            Read the full Report for Frontiers in Plant Science here.
                            The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Plant Sciences category included 211 journals overall, and 31 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
                          • Frontiers in Psychiatry
                            IF 3.532
                            Read the full Report for Frontiers in Psychiatry here.
                          • Frontiers in Psychology
                            IF 2.323
                            Most cited journals in Multidisciplinary Psychology
                            Journals
                            Citations
                                With an Impact Factor of 2.323, Frontiers in Psychology is the 1st most cited Multidisciplinary Psychology journal in the world.
                                Read the full Report for Frontiers in Psychology here.
                                The results are based on the 2016 Journal Citation Reports, released in 2017 by Clarivate Analytics (f.k.a.Thomson Reuters), for citations in 2016 of articles published in 2014-2015. The 2016 JCR Multidisciplinary Psychology category included 128 journals overall, and 10 open-access journals. Read the full analysis here.
                              Research topics
                              Spotlighting research
                              and maximizing impact


                              A Frontiers Research Topic is a collection of peer-reviewed articles published around a specialized theme of cutting-edge research. It unites the world’s leading experts around a topic, stimulating dialogue and collaboration and accelerating science.

                              Research Topics provide a highly visible channel for collaborative research – disseminated through our customised Open Science platform – enhancing both the readership and the citation of the articles.
                              170,090,569
                              Research Topics
                              views & downloads (total)
                              Research Topics with eBooks (total)
                              1,135
                              Contributing authors (total)
                              121,690
                              Collaborative Peer Review
                              Rigorous, constructive,
                              transparent and fast


                              Peer review is at the heart of the Frontiers publishing process. Our award-winning Collaborative Peer Review Forum is continually improved with the latest innovative technology, including smart semantic algorithms. Our mission is to ensure efficiency, whilst safeguarding the highest quality.
                              Average time
                              from submission to decision
                              90 days
                              Average time for online
                              publication of accepted articles
                              18 days
                              Collaborative Peer Review
                              88%
                              Reviewers rated our Collaborative Review Forum as good/excellent
                              87%
                              Authors rated our Collaborative Review Forum as good/excellent
                              88%
                              Authors feel our collaborative review helped improve their paper
                              84%
                              Authors feel our collaborative review is a significant improvement over traditional peer review
                              Community Support
                              From the outset, Frontiers has been a social enterprise, actively supporting our communities through numerous programs: Chief Editors with honoraria; Associate and Review Editors with research awards, travel grants and conference support; and Authors with discounts and waivers to ensure that everyone can publish open access.
                              $ 1,320,000
                              Granted in Editorial
                              Honoraria
                              $ 3,100,000
                              Granted in Article Waivers
                              & Discounts
                              Frontiers for Young Minds
                              Science edited for kids, by kids

                              Frontiers for Young Minds is an open-access scientific journal written for and reviewed by 8-15 year olds.

                              It provides a channel for researchers to describe their work to kids and their families – in a format that also teaches kids about how science is conducted and validated — generating enthusiasm and awareness of science among children and their families.

                              Frontiers for Young Minds connects young people to scientists, who then collaborate to provide feedback to authors about how their articles can be improved to be better understood by kids. Frontiers for Young Minds provides a growing collection of articles on cutting edge science and on core scientific concepts to help motivate and stimulate the next generation of scientists.
                              Frontiers for Young Minds key figures
                              140
                              Science Mentors
                              500
                              Young Minds
                              56
                              Scientific Editors
                              250
                              Authors
                              23
                              Editor's countries
                              6
                              Specialties
                              Frontiers for Young Minds 2016-2017: selection of articles
                              Loop
                              The open network that maximizes the impact of researchers and their discoveries

                              Loop profiles of authors, editors and reviewers are integrated into all Frontiers research articles, journal webpages, editorial board listings, and article reviews on the Collaborative Peer Review Forum. Loop profiles guarantee transparency and accountability in the peer review process and enhance researcher recognition.

                              Smart algorithms connect researchers to their community and disseminate their research into a network of researchers with related interests, which greatly improves article discoverability and, ultimately, author-level and article-level impact.
                              Loop key figures
                              15,000
                              Institutions
                              361,000
                              Academics
                              50,000,000
                              Searchable
                              publications
                              Innovations
                              When Frontiers launched, we made the bold decision to build all our services in house – a first in the publishing industry. As a result, Frontiers innovates faster than any other publisher, and this dedication was recognized with the attribution of the 2014 ALPSP Gold Award for Innovation in Publishing.
                              Frontiers innovative spirit in advancing the cause of Open Science worldwide has been acknowledged with numerous awards.
                              2017
                              AI powered editors
                              & reviewers suggestions
                              Research Topic Management
                              platform v2.0 launch
                              2016
                              50,000
                              articles published
                              Stevie Entrepreneur
                              of the Year Gold Award
                              Digital Editorial Office
                              v2.0 launch
                              2015
                              Loop launch,
                              Frontiers Research
                              Network v2.0
                              2014
                              ALPSP Gold Award
                              for Innovation in Publishing
                              2013
                              Frontiers for Young Minds
                              website launch
                              2012
                              Frontiers Research
                              Network v1.0 launch
                              2011
                              Author Impact Metrics
                              v1.0 launch
                              2010
                              Digital Editorial Office
                              v1.0 launch
                              2008
                              Article-Level Metrics
                              and Journal-Level Metrics
                              v1.0 launches
                              Interactive Review
                              v1.0 Forum launch
                              Frontiers, first publisher to
                              launch a comprehensive IT
                              publishing platform
                              Awards
                              Frontiers innovative spirit and entrepreneurial approach to advancing the cause of Open Science has been acknowledged with numerous awards.

                              The success of Frontiers is proof that the application of open-science principles to scientific publishing can provide superior services and outcomes for researchers everywhere. These awards recognise Frontiers leadership among open-access publishers, by providing a platform that is not only innovative and scalable, but also economically sustainable.
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