Where do I submit a BJA Open manuscript?

Through the journal's own submission system. The address is in the Submission row of the Structure at a Glance table on this page. SciSpace does not submit for you.

How do I use the BJA Open template in SciSpace?

Click Start Writing, add your topic and article type to the prompt, review the draft against the rules on this page, then export and submit through the journal's portal.

Can I submit to BJA Open and another journal at the same time?

No. Journals, BJA Open included, expect a manuscript to be under review at one journal at a time. Wait for the decision or withdraw formally before you submit elsewhere.

What should my data availability statement say for BJA Open?

Say where readers can find the data behind your results: a repository with a DOI, supplementary files, or the reason the data cannot be shared. Check the BJA Open author guide for any required wording.

How do I know my paper fits BJA Open?

Read the BJA Open aims and scope and skim two or three recent articles. If your question, methods, and audience match what the journal publishes, you are in the right place.

What belongs in supplementary material?

Large datasets, extended tables, extra figures, code, and detailed protocols. Reference each file in the main text, and keep the core BJA Open manuscript readable without them.

Can I change the author list after submitting?

Usually only with the editor's approval and written agreement from every author. Settle who qualifies as an author, and the order, before you submit.

BJA Open Template 2026: Format & Author Guidelines

BJA Open Template 2026

The BJA Open format rules (a structured 250-word abstract, 5–8 keywords and numbered references) are ready in one template. Add your content and go.

Used by 1655 researchers in last 7 days

Elsevier

Journal Templates, Research Paper Templates, Elsevier Templates

How to Use the BJA Open Template | A Step-by-Step Guide

Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 28 September, 2026

Use this BJA Open template when the manuscript has to match that journal before you upload it. Check the current rules in the BJA Open author instructions; the BJA Open journal page has the scope and latest issues.

What is the BJA Open Template?

It is the writing shell for BJA Open: title and authors, the abstract, the body, declarations, figures, and the reference list. The limits that decide a desk reject are on the journal page linked above.

What's actually in a BJA Open submission:

A BJA Open submission has a title page with authors and affiliations, a structured abstract of up to 250 words, keywords, the main text for your article type, declarations, the reference list, and figures and tables.

What separates a clean submission from one that gets kicked back:

An abstract that breaks the rule (a structured abstract of up to 250 words).
References that do not follow the stated style: Numbered citations in order of appearance.
The wrong number or kind of keywords (5–8 keywords).
A missing declaration: ethics approval, competing interests, funding, or data availability.

Read the full rules on the journal page linked above before you upload.

What does this BJA Open Template include?

The sections a BJA Open submission is built from, in order: title page, abstract, keywords, main text, declarations, references, figures, and tables. It does not replace the journal's own checklist. The journal also publishes its own Word file: official BJA Open Word file.

Steps to Use This Template with SciSpace Agent

Click Start Writing on this page.
Keep the BJA Open section order. Add your topic and article type in the prompt.
Run the prompt and read the draft against the abstract and reference rules on this page.
Use View Outputs to confirm required statements are present.
Read the abstract and the title once more before you export.
Export and submit through the journal's own portal.

BJA Open Template Structure at a Glance

Element	BJA Open requirement
Abstract	A structured abstract of no more than 250 words
Main text	Organize sections for the chosen article type; no single overall word limit is stated in the accessible guide
Declarations	Ethics approval/consent as applicable; competing interests; funding; data availability
Figures/tables	Publication-ready; cited in order
Supplemental	Upload separately when used
Keywords	5–8 keywords
References	Numbered citations in order of appearance
Peer review	Peer reviewed; blind model not specified in the official author guidelines
Submission	www.editorialmanager.com/bjao/default1.aspx

BJA Open Author Guidelines in Detail

These rules come from the BJA Open author instructions. Journals change limits without notice, so check the current guide before you upload.

Abstract

A structured abstract of no more than 250 words.

Keywords

5–8 keywords.

References

Numbered citations in order of appearance.

Before You Open the Portal

Submissions go through Editorial Manager. Create the account before the deadline week.

Quick Tips for Using the BJA Open Template

Write the abstract last and count it. BJA Open asks for a structured abstract of up to 250 words.
Choose keywords to the rule: 5–8 keywords.
Keep declarations with the manuscript, not in a separate note you might forget to upload.

Best Practices

Open the author guide once before you draft and once before you upload. Match a recent BJA Open paper for depth, headings, and figure style.

Before You Submit: Final Check

The abstract meets the rule (a structured abstract of up to 250 words).
The reference style matches the author guide, and every citation has a matching entry.
The keywords follow the stated count.
Declarations are included: ethics, competing interests, funding, and data availability.
Figures are publication-ready and cited in order.

Then submit on the journal's portal, not from this page.