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JAMA does not take manuscripts by email or PDF. According to its Instructions for Authors, all manuscripts are submitted through the journal’s online manuscript submission and review system, as a Word document, with a cover letter and a full author list. The JAMA Network is also not one door: JAMA and JAMA Network Open use separate submission sites and differ on whether a cover letter is required. This guide sets out what the journal’s own Instructions for Authors say, as checked on 2026-10-29.
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Suggested question: “Can I submit a PDF to JAMA?”
What JAMA submission involves
“JAMA” here means the flagship journal of the JAMA Network. Its Instructions for Authors say that all manuscripts must be submitted online via its manuscript submission and review system, and that manuscripts are considered with the understanding that they have not been published previously. If you are weighing whether the journal’s review is rigorous, see whether the JAMA Network is peer reviewed; this page covers only the mechanics of submitting.
Which JAMA journal and which submission site
The instructions pages of two network journals name different sites. Pick the journal first, then use that journal’s portal.
| Journal | Submission site named on its instructions page | Cover letter | Original Investigation text limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMA | manuscripts.jama.com | Required: “Include a cover letter and complete contact information for the corresponding author.” | 3,000 words |
| JAMA Network Open | manuscripts.jamanetworkopen.com | Recommended, not required | 3,000 words of text (excluding abstract, tables, figures, acknowledgments, references and online-only material) |
No fee, license or review timeline is given here; check the JAMA Network Open instructions page for those.
Which article type are you submitting?
Choose the type before you write, because word and reference limits differ sharply. The figures below are from the JAMA Instructions for Authors, checked 2026-10-29.
| Article type | Word limit | References | Other stated requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Investigation (observational studies) | 3,000 | 50-75 | Structured abstract, 3 Key Points, up to 5 tables and figures |
| Research Letter | 800 | Up to 10 | No abstract; up to 2 small tables or figures |
| Brief Report | 1,200 | Up to 15 | |
| Systematic Review | 3,000 | 50-75 | Abstract up to 350 words; presubmission inquiry for JAMA |
| Narrative Review | Up to 4,200 | Up to 125 | Abstract up to 400 words; presubmission inquiry |
| Special Communication | 3,000 | Up to 50 | |
| Viewpoint | 1,200 | Up to 7 | |
| Letter to the Editor | 400 | Up to 5 | Submit within 4 weeks of the article it discusses |
| Letter in Reply | 500 | Up to 6 |
Files and information to prepare
Format and size
The instructions say to submit the manuscript as a Word document and not as a PDF. They recommend individual files of no more than 500 kB and not exceeding 1 MB, with the total not above 5 MB excluding video.
Author and contact details
The corresponding author’s full contact information is required. For coauthors, the system asks for first and last names, email addresses and affiliations.
The cover letter
For JAMA, include it with the corresponding author’s contact details. It should state whether the authors have published, posted or submitted related papers from the same study. For help drafting one, see a journal cover letter example.
Attachments by study type
| If your paper is | The instructions ask for |
|---|---|
| A clinical trial | A copy of the original protocol including the statistical analysis plan and amendments (SPIRIT is recommended); a CONSORT flow diagram and completed checklist; registry information; and a Data Sharing Statement. The registry name, ID and URL go at the end of the abstract. |
| A systematic review | A PRISMA-style flow diagram as an online supplement and a PRISMA checklist (used in review, not published) |
| A Clinical Challenge or Diagnostic Test Interpretation | A signed Patient Permission form |
For the trial reporting standard, see the CONSORT statement and clinical trial registration.
Preprints and previous publication
Manuscripts are considered with the understanding that they have not been published previously. The instructions also state that manuscripts previously posted on a preprint server may be submitted; give the preprint link and say whether the submitted version was revised.
How the submission steps run
The sequence below follows the order the Instructions for Authors describe; it is not a click-by-click portal walkthrough. The sign-in is on the journal’s own submission site (manuscripts.jama.com for JAMA).
- Decide the article type and study type using the instructions’ “Determine My Article Type” and “Determine My Study Type” sections.
- Format the manuscript as a Word file within the limits above.
- Gather the cover letter, contact details for every author, and any study-type attachments.
- Submit through the online manuscript submission and review system for the journal you chose.
- After submission, watch for the email with links to the Authorship Form, which is sent to authors for completion after submission.
What happens after submission
The instructions say all submitted manuscripts are reviewed initially by one of the editors, and that manuscripts with insufficient priority for publication are rejected promptly. The rest go to expert reviewers, and review is single-anonymized. No turnaround time is stated here because the instructions do not set one. Authors may appeal decisions; all appeals are reviewed by the editor in chief, on a case-by-case basis.
AI tools and references
Authors must review and confirm the accuracy of all content generated by artificial intelligence (AI). The instructions add that AI, large language models and chatbots should not be used to generate or format references. The network’s wider policy is covered in the AMA Manual of Style and JAMA Network AI authorship policy.
Strengths and limits of this route
- Strength: limits and attachments are published per article type, so you can check compliance before submitting.
- Strength: preprints are explicitly permitted, with disclosure.
- Limit: this guide does not state a submission fee or a review timeline; check the journal’s own pages for both.
- Limit: tight caps (800 words for a Research Letter, 400 for a Letter to the Editor) leave little room for methods detail.
Alternatives
| Route | What the source pages say |
|---|---|
| JAMA Network Open | Separate portal (manuscripts.jamanetworkopen.com); cover letter recommended; Original Investigation up to 3,000 words of text |
| Another journal | Each journal sets its own rules; for a worked example, see the PLOS ONE submission guide |
FAQ
Can I submit a PDF to JAMA?
No. The instructions say to submit the manuscript as a Word document and not in PDF format.
Is a cover letter required?
For JAMA, yes. For JAMA Network Open it is recommended rather than required.
Can I submit work already posted as a preprint?
Yes. Give the preprint link and say whether the submitted version was revised.
How long can a Research Letter be?
The instructions give 800 words, up to 10 references and up to 2 small tables or figures, with no abstract.
Can I appeal a rejection?
Authors may appeal; the editor in chief reviews all appeals case by case.
Sources
- JAMA, Instructions for Authors: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/instructions-for-authors (checked 2026-10-29).
- JAMA Network Open, Instructions for Authors: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/pages/instructions-for-authors (checked 2026-10-29).
Journal requirements change; this page reflects the instructions as checked on 2026-10-29.
