Part 2 - Top 10 Research Journals for Young Student Researchers

Introduction

In Part 1 of this guide, we looked at ten of the best research journals for students who want to publish a research paper. Many readers asked for more options, so here is the most awaited Part 2.

World-class universities such as Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, etc are looking for students who are able to show real intellectual curiosity and independent thinking. A published research paper is one of the strongest ways to show both. It also proves your capability to take an idea from a research question to a peer-reviewed publication, which strengthens your university application, a personal statement, and your interview confidence.

The options are wider than most students realise. Some journals are built only for high school researchers, while others welcome undergraduates from any university.

How to Choose the Right Research Journal

Before you submit your research paper, check each journal against this list:

• Eligibility: Is it open to high school students, undergraduates or both?
• Peer review: Does it use peer review or editorial review?
• Fees: Does it charge to submit, or only when a paper is accepted?
• Paper type: Does it accept original research, literature reviews or essays?
• Timeline: Is submission rolling, or are there annual deadlines?
• Subject fit: Does it publish work in your discipline?

Best STEM & Computer Science Research Journals for Students

National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS)

NHSJS is an online, peer-reviewed research journal aimed at high school students. It publishes across biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, policy, and social sciences. That makes it a good first publication for students whose projects sit between STEM and policy.

• Best Suited For: High school research in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, policy, and social sciences
• Submission Cost: Check the journal's current submission and publication fees; optional expedited services carry a separate charge.
• Deadline: Rolling
• Accepted Paper Types: Original research and review submissions

Journal of High School Science (JHSS)

JHSS is a peer-reviewed STEAM journal covering science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Only students currently in grades 9 to 12 can submit, through the Scholastica portal, on a rolling basis. Because it welcomes the arts alongside STEM, it suits creative, cross-disciplinary projects.

• Best Suited For: High school STEAM projects, including interdisciplinary and arts-linked research
• Submission Cost: Varies
• Deadline: Rolling
• Accepted Paper Types: Original research, review articles, and other STEAM manuscripts

International Journal of High School Research (IJHSR)

IJHSR is published by the non-profit Terra Science and Education. It accepts original research and literature reviews from high school students and their mentors in any country, with papers capped at 15 pages and a required template. Authors should follow the journal's current submission instructions and use the appropriate article template.

• Best Suited For: Advanced high school research in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and behavioural and social sciences
• Submission Cost: No submission fee; a publication fee of USD 350 is payable on acceptance. Publication fee scholarships are available for eligible students; see the current author guidelines.
• Deadline: Rolling
• Accepted Paper Types: Research articles and review articles

STEM Fellowship Journal (SFJ)

The STEM Fellowship Journal is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal published by Canadian Science Publishing, which is Canada's biggest journal publisher, and it is the only CSP journal dedicated to young researchers in high school and university. It accepts submissions in any STEM field from high school, undergraduate, and graduate students around the world. Authors can submit individually or as a group, with or without mentor input. Each paper is reviewed by subject experts, and the journal also encourages interdisciplinary work and data science methods.

• Best Suited For: High school and undergraduate research in any STEM field, including natural sciences, engineering, computer science, and data-driven projects
• Submission Cost: CAD 400 on acceptance, subject to any applicable waiver; see the submission checklist.
• Deadline: Rolling submissions, with two issues published per year.
• Accepted Paper Types: Original student research and review articles, plus shorter "viewpoint" pieces. Viewpoints have a 1,500-word limit.

Best Politics, Economics & Social Science Journals for Students

Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Politics, Economics and World Affairs (DUJPEW)

DUJPEW is a strong choice for students interested in international relations, economics, and political science. Any undergraduate at an accredited institution may submit an original article, as long as they own or are authorised to submit the copyright. It suits first-year and second-year university students, and students who have just started their undergraduate studies.

• Best Suited For: Undergraduate research in politics, economics, and world affairs
• Submission Cost: Varies
• Deadline: Check the journal's page for the current cycle
• Accepted Paper Types: Original articles

Inquiries Journal

Inquiries Journal is an open-access, multidisciplinary student journal. It focuses on student scholarship in the social sciences, arts, and humanities. It accepts submissions on a rolling basis from scholars at undergraduate level and above. That makes it a flexible option for sociology, psychology-adjacent work, public policy, and cultural studies.

• Best Suited For: Undergraduate research in the social sciences, arts, and humanities
• Submission Cost: Varies
• Deadline: Rolling
• Accepted Paper Types: Original academic work across disciplines

Best Humanities & History Journals for Students

The Schola

The Schola is an independent journal publishing original research by secondary-school scholars in the humanities and social sciences. Submissions are screened editorially, and selected manuscripts go to external blind review. It suits students writing argument-driven essays in philosophy, history, politics, economics, sociology, or public policy.

• Best Suited For: High school essays in philosophy, history, politics, public policy, economics, and sociology
• Submission Cost: About $180 per submission
• Deadline: Year-round
• Accepted Paper Types: Essays and manuscripts of up to 8,000 words

Dartmouth Undergraduate Historical Review (DUHR)

DUHR accepts historical scholarship from undergraduates across the country, in a double-blind review process, for one issue each June. It asks for 3,000 to 5,000 words in Chicago 17th edition style, with a clear, debatable thesis. It also encourages histories beyond Western Europe and North America, such as the Middle East and South Asia.

• Best Suited For: Undergraduate history research built on primary and secondary sources
• Submission Cost: Varies
• Deadline: Annual cycle.
• Accepted Paper Types: Original history papers

Multidisciplinary Research Journals for Students

The Young Researcher

The Young Researcher is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal for secondary school students, covering the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, with blind peer review. It is edited by secondary school students working closely with university scholars and active researchers. That gives young authors a realistic taste of academic publishing.

• Best Suited For: Secondary school students across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences
• Submission Cost: Varies
• Deadline: Issue-based.
• Accepted Paper Types: Original student research

The Curieux Review (formerly Curieux Academic Journal)

Curieux is a youth-led non-profit that publishes research by high school and middle school students. The Curieux Academic Journal site now points authors to The Curieux Review for new submissions, and keeps the old site as an archive of past research. The Review welcomes submissions from the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Papers are reviewed by two editors, and authors can choose between a fast-track and a seasonal review pathway.

• Best Suited For: High school and middle school researchers in any academic subject
• Submission Cost: Free to submit, with a publication fee of $250 for fast-track or $200 for seasonal review once accepted
• Deadline: Rolling
• Accepted Paper Types: Research papers and essays across subjects

How to Prepare a Research Paper for Publication

A well-chosen journal still needs a strong manuscript. Here is how to improve your chances:

1. Always make sure to start with a narrow, focused research question.
2. Complete a thorough literature review before you start writing your paper. Show how your work builds on existing research.
3. Use a clear research methodology by explaining your data, methods, and limitations.
4. Follow the journal's template and word limit to increase your chances of being accepted.
5. Write a strong abstract as many reviewers decide the worth of your paper based on your abstract.
6. Always get feedback from a mentor or subject expert before submitting.
7. Keep yourself prepared for at least one revision round.

How Sapiente Supports Student Research & Publication

Sapiente's Research & Publication programme supports motivated students at every stage, from choosing a topic to preparing a fully developed research paper for submission.

Students work with subject experts from Oxbridge, Ivy League, and leading global institutions and companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Snapchat.

The programme includes regular live sessions, dedicated research assistance, writing and revision support, preparation for an optional final presentation, and parent progress reports when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can high school students publish a research paper?
Yes. Several journals above are built specifically for high school and secondary school students, including NHSJS, JHSS, IJHSR, The Young Researcher, and The Schola.

Do student research journals help with university applications?
Yes. A publication shows independent thinking, academic initiative, and subject depth. The quality of the research and what you learned matter more than the journal's name alone.

Are student research journals free to submit to?
Many are free to submit, but some charge a publication fee once a paper is accepted. Always check the current guidelines before you submit.

What is the difference between a high school and an undergraduate research journal?
High school journals are designed for secondary students and have more accessible requirements. Undergraduate journals expect university-level depth and methodology.

How long does it take to publish a research paper?
It varies by journal. Review, revisions, and publication can take weeks to several months, so start early.