Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Founded in 1914, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) is one of the world’s most prestigious and widely cited multidisciplinary scientific journals. Published by the National Academy of Sciences, PNAS is distinguished by its broad scope, encompassing the biological, physical, and social sciences. The journal welcomes original research of exceptional significance, with a particular emphasis on work that advances the frontiers of knowledge across diverse fields, including but not limited to genetics, ecology, neuroscience, physics, chemistry, and computational biology. PNAS publishes primarily peer-reviewed research articles, along with authoritative review articles, perspectives, commentaries, and colloquium papers that synthesize current understanding and stimulate new directions. The target audience is the global scientific community, including researchers, academics, and policy makers who require timely access to high-impact, cross-disciplinary findings. A notable feature of PNAS is its unique editorial model: authors may recommend potential editors and reviewers, and many articles are made freely available online shortly after publication through an open access option. With a 2026 Journal Impact Factor of 9.500, PNAS consistently ranks in the JCR Q1 quartile across multiple categories, reflecting its outstanding citation influence and rigorous editorial standards. As a leading general science journal, PNAS serves as a vital platform for communicating transformative discoveries that shape scientific understanding and societal progress.