Breathe Life Into Your Research

International Journal of Thorax - Proposed Special Issue

Lead a focused collection in thoracic and respiratory medicine

Special Issue Proposal Scope

International Journal of Thorax invites proposals for special issues addressing emerging topics and clinical breakthroughs in thoracic and respiratory medicine.

Research Focus

Guest editors shape the theme, recruit contributors, and guide a curated collection that highlights focused advances in clinical care and translational science.

Why It Matters

Special issues create cohesive resources that attract targeted readership and help position guest editors as leaders in thoracic medicine.

Quality Signals

Priority themes may include lung cancer, COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, critical care, thoracic surgery, transplantation, imaging, and sleep medicine.

Trust & Integrity

Proposals should articulate the knowledge gap, the expected impact for readers, and the proposed article types that will define the collection.

Visibility

Successful proposals include a realistic timeline, a contributor list, and evidence of guest editor expertise in the proposed theme.

Proposal Quick View

Define theme and scope clearly
Name guest editors and affiliations
Target number of manuscripts
Provide submission and review timeline
Explain novelty and impact
Plan for promotion and outreach
Ensure topic fits journal scope
Editorial office supports workflow

Support for Guest Editors

We provide guidance and operational support during special issue development.

Editorial Guidance

Checklists, templates, and workflows to keep the project on track.

Promotion

Targeted announcements help recruit submissions and increase visibility.

Coordination

Staff support timeline management and reviewer tracking.

Quality Oversight

Consistent standards across the collection protect journal credibility.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Successful proposals demonstrate relevance, feasibility, and impact.

Core Criteria

Required

Proposals should clearly articulate the theme, timeline, and contributor plan.

Alignment with journal scope
Realistic timeline and milestones
Guest editor expertise
Balanced mix of article types

Proposal Elements

Include the elements below for a complete submission.

Element	Include	Tip
Theme statement	Scope and novelty	Define the research gap
Editorial team	Guest editor details	Show relevant expertise
Timeline	Submission and review plan	Be realistic and specific

Proposal Callouts

Focus on feasibility and impact to accelerate approval.

Quality

Proposal Quality

Define a clear scientific gap and show how the collection advances thoracic and respiratory research.

Timeline

Timeline Management

Provide realistic timelines for submissions, review, and publication milestones.

Proposal Steps

Submit a proposal that outlines the theme and delivery plan.

Theme Rationale

Describe the knowledge gap and expected impact for the thoracic and respiratory community.

Contributor Plan

List potential authors and article types to ensure viability.

Timeline and Promotion

Provide submission deadlines and outreach plans to support recruitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a special issue take?

Most issues require twelve to eighteen months from launch to completion.

Can I propose an applied theme?

Yes. Translational and drug discovery focused themes are welcome.

Do guest editors handle peer review?

Yes, with support from the journal editorial office.

Important Points

Early discussion with the editorial office helps align scope.
Special issues receive coordinated promotion.
Proposals should include clear milestones.

Submit Your Proposal

Lead a special issue that advances thoracic and respiratory medicine.

Apply Now OR Learn More

For assistance, contact us at [email protected]