Frontiers | Report

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

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

43%

Europe

35%

North
America

14%

Asia

4%

Oceania

3%

South
America

1%

Africa

Authors (total)

284,194

Authors’ geographical locations

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.

European Union Prize for Women Innovators - 2017

Finalist

Acknowledging outstanding women entrepreneurs who brought their breakthrough ideas to the market.

Stevie Entrepreneur
of the Year - 2016

Gold Winner

Spotlighting successful companies run by women.

Ernst and Young Entrepreneur
of the Year - 2016

Finalist

Celebrating entrepreneurs, their achievements and commitment to their businesses and the world around them.

L’HEBDO Forum 100 - 2016

Top 100 personalities that “make” French speaking Switzerland

Recognition for top innovators.

ALPSP Gold Award for Innovation
in Publishing - 2014

Gold Winner

Acknowledging boldness, innovation and development in the publishing industry.