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npj Aging is a peer-reviewed, fully open-access journal published by Springer Nature within the Nature Partner Journals (npj) series. Covering the biological mechanisms of aging, age-associated diseases, and healthy longevity interventions, the journal connects molecular gerontology with translational medicine. Prospective authors can consult our foundational guide on open access publishing.
What it is
Launched in 2015 as npj Aging and Mechanisms of Disease (ISSN 2056-3973, NLM ID 101672322), the journal published volumes 1 through 7 before transitioning in 2022 to npj Aging (Electronic ISSN 2731-6068, NLM ID 9918402285106676). It operates as an online-only, continuous journal providing immediate global access without paywalls.
As a Nature Partner Journal, npj Aging combines Nature Portfolio standards with academic society leadership. Authors should distinguish npj Aging from Nature Aging: Nature Aging is a monthly flagship journal published directly by Springer Nature under a hybrid and transformative open-access model, whereas npj Aging is a dedicated open-access society partner journal designed for community-led dissemination across biological and clinical aging fields.
Who runs it and what it covers
The governance of npj Aging reflects a partnership between Springer Nature and the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine (JAAM). Founded in 2001, reorganized in 2003, and incorporated in 2006, JAAM has grown to more than 8,000 members across basic research and clinical specialties.
Editorial Leadership
Editorial decisions are led by active research scientists. The Editor-in-Chief is Dr. Sarah Mitchell, PhD (Ludwig Cancer Princeton Branch, Princeton University), specializing in the physiology and metabolomics of healthy aging. The Deputy Editor is Dr. J. Cesar Cardenas, PhD (Universidad Mayor, Chile), focusing on cellular senescence and mitochondrial calcium signaling. Dr. Shin-ichiro Imai, MD, PhD (Washington University in St. Louis), serves as Emeritus Editor-in-Chief.
Aims and Research Scope
npj Aging publishes original research, reviews, and perspectives across the biology of aging. Core areas include:
- Molecular and cellular hallmarks: Cellular senescence, genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, and proteostasis collapse.
- Organellar and metabolic biology: Mitochondrial dysfunction, bioenergetics, nutrient-sensing networks, and metabolic remodeling.
- Systemic aging and organ pathology: Chronic inflammation, immunosenescence, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular decline.
- Translational interventions: Geroprotectors, senolytics, dietary protocols, frailty syndromes, and healthspan biomarkers.
Indexing and Preservation
Articles receive permanent Crossref DOIs and are indexed in SCIE, Scopus, PMC, PubMed, DOAJ, CAS, Dimensions, and Google Scholar. Archival preservation is maintained via Portico and CLOCKSS.
Publishing Metrics and npj Aging Impact Factor
According to 2025 Clarivate JCR and Nature Portfolio metrics:
- Journal Impact Factor: 13.0 (2025 release), with a 5-year Impact Factor of 12.2 and an Immediacy Index of 1.1.
- Citation Influence: Article Influence Score of 3.244 and an Eigenfactor Score of 0.00245.
- Scopus Metrics: SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) of 3.126 and Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) of 3.030.
- Editorial Speed: Median time from submission to first decision is 15 days; median time to acceptance is 116 days.
- Annual Usage: 1,677,486 downloads in 2025 under COUNTER5 standards, alongside 3,076 Altmetric mentions.
Springer Nature is a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). The journal emphasizes article-level rigor rather than relying solely on the journal impact factor.
How to search or use it
Authors and readers interact with npj Aging through the following official procedures:
Step 1: Explore and Filter Research on Nature.com
Access the journal at nature.com/npjamd. Use “Explore content” or search by keyword, author, or DOI. Filters allow sorting by publication date, article type, or subject collection.
Step 2: Align with Article Types and Length Guidelines
Confirm manuscript alignment with accepted formats:
- Article: Original primary research. Titles are capped at 15 words without punctuation. Abstracts must be unstructured and up to 150 words. Results and Methods require subheadings. Discussion sections must not contain subheadings, limitations, or conclusion headings.
- Brief Communication: Concise reports of 1,000–1,500 words of main text, an unstructured abstract under 70 words, and approximately 20 references.
- Reviews and Perspectives: Synthesis of aging biology. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses must be submitted as Articles.
Step 3: Prepare Compulsory Reporting Checklists
Clinical trials mandate a public trial registration number, registration date, and a completed CONSORT checklist in Supplementary Information. Pre-clinical animal studies are encouraged to supply the ARRIVE Essential 10 checklist. Authors must supply a formal data availability statement, code statement where applicable, author initials, and a competing interests disclosure.
Step 4: Format Figures and Legends
Figure legends must not exceed 350 words per figure. Multi-panel figures must appear on a single page labeled a), b), c). Supplementary materials must be compiled into a single PDF file.
Step 5: Submit Through Springer Nature Snapp
Select “Submit manuscript” under “Publish with us” on the journal site to access Springer Nature Snapp at submission.springernature.com/new-submission/41514/3. Log in with Springer Nature credentials, link an ORCID iD, and upload the manuscript, figures, and cover letter.
Step 6: Navigate Peer Review and Revisions
Track status via Snapp. Following editorial evaluation (median 15 days), manuscripts undergo single-blind peer review. Authors submit revisions and rebuttal letters through the same interface.
Step 7: Complete Licensing and Authorize APC
Upon acceptance (median 116 days), authors choose a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC BY) or Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC-ND), retaining copyright. The article processing charge is settled through institutional agreements or direct invoice.
Strengths and limits
Researchers evaluating npj Aging should weigh its operational benefits against practical constraints:
Strengths
- High academic standing: A 2025 Impact Factor of 13.0 and SJR of 3.126 place the journal in the top tier of gerontology venues.
- Prompt editorial triage: Median 15 days to first decision ensures rapid initial feedback.
- Full compliance with open science: Immediate gold open access under CC BY satisfies cOAlition S and funder mandates.
- Robust reporting standards: Mandatory data statements and checklists promote experimental transparency.
- Extensive distribution: More than 1.67 million COUNTER5 downloads annually across SpringerLink and nature.com.
Limits
- Substantial APC: The publication charge of $3,890 (£2,790 / €3,090) for original research poses financial hurdles for unfunded teams.
- Rigid format limits: A 15-word title cap, 150-word unstructured abstract, and continuous Discussion require careful manuscript refactoring.
- Narrow mechanistic focus: Descriptive surveys lacking cellular or physiological mechanisms are declined.
- Online-only distribution: No physical print edition is produced.
Alternatives
The table below summarizes key alternative journals in aging research and longevity biology:
| Journal | Publisher & Society | Publishing Model | Impact Factor (2025 JCR / Recent) | Standard APC (USD Approx.) | Primary Research Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| npj Aging | Springer Nature / JAAM | Fully Open Access | 13.0 | $3,890 (Research) / $1,535 (Brief) | Molecular mechanisms of aging, senescence, and translational longevity |
| Nature Aging | Springer Nature (Nature Portfolio) | Transformative / Hybrid | High Impact (Tier 1) | $11,690 (OA option) or Subscription | Broad multidisciplinary research across biological, clinical, and social aging |
| Aging Cell | Wiley / Anatomical Society | Fully Open Access | 7.8 | $4,580 | Cellular and molecular biology of aging, genomics, and organismal lifespan |
| GeroScience | Springer / American Aging Association | Hybrid (Subscription / OA) | 5.6 | $4,790 (OA option) | Translational geroscience, healthspan biology, and age-associated pathology |
| Frontiers in Aging | Frontiers Media | Fully Open Access | 3.8 | $2,290 – $3,295 | Specialized subfields across aging physiology, longevity interventions, and model organisms |
FAQ
What is the Impact Factor of npj Aging?
The Journal Impact Factor for npj Aging is 13.0, based on the 2025 Clarivate Journal Citation Reports. The journal also holds a 5-year Impact Factor of 12.2, an SJR of 3.126, and an SNIP of 3.030.
How much does it cost to publish in npj Aging?
The article processing charge (APC) is £2,790.00 / $3,890.00 / €3,090.00 for Original Research Articles, and £1,110.00 / $1,535.00 / €1,250.00 for Brief Communications, Reviews, Perspectives, and Comments. Automatic waivers apply to corresponding authors from low-income countries, and discretionary waivers must be requested upon initial submission.
Who publishes npj Aging?
npj Aging is published by Springer Nature with the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine (JAAM). Editorial governance is headed by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Sarah Mitchell, PhD (Princeton University).
Is npj Aging indexed in PubMed and MEDLINE?
npj Aging is indexed in PubMed Central and searchable in PubMed (ISSN 2731-6068, NLM ID 9918402285106676). It is not currently indexed for MEDLINE.
How does npj Aging differ from Nature Aging?
npj Aging is a fully open-access society partner journal in the Nature Partner Journals series. In contrast, Nature Aging is a monthly flagship publication run directly by Nature Portfolio under a hybrid subscription and transformative open-access model.
What are the title and abstract limits for npj Aging?
Original research Articles require a title of 15 words or fewer without punctuation, and an unstructured abstract of 150 words or fewer.
Sources
- Springer Nature / Nature Portfolio. npj Aging: Journal Information and Aims & Scope. URL: https://www.nature.com/npjamd/about (read 2026-11-07).
- Springer Nature / Nature Portfolio. npj Aging: Journal Metrics. URL: https://www.nature.com/npjamd/journal-impact (read 2026-11-07).
- Springer Nature / Nature Portfolio. npj Aging: Article Processing Charges & Open Access. URL: https://www.nature.com/npjamd/apc (read 2026-11-07).
- Springer Nature / Nature Portfolio. npj Aging: Content Types and Formatting Guidelines. URL: https://www.nature.com/npjamd/content-types (read 2026-11-07).
- Springer Nature / Nature Portfolio. npj Aging: About the Partner and Editorial Board. URLs: https://www.nature.com/npjamd/partner and https://www.nature.com/npjamd/editors (read 2026-11-07).
- National Library of Medicine. NLM Catalog: npj Aging (NLM ID 9918402285106676). URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/9918402285106676 (read 2026-11-07).
