EMBO Journal Template
Get your EMBO Journal paper right the first time: a ready-made structure with the right abstract and citations, so editors see your science, not formatting slips.
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How to Use the EMBO Journal Template | A Step-by-Step Guide
Authored by Sumalatha Gangadhar | Published on 10 August, 2026
Submitting to EMBO Journal goes smoothly when your draft already matches the journal's own rules. Editors screen new manuscripts against the EMBO Journal guide for authors before peer review, so formatting, structure, and required statements should be right on the first draft rather than repaired during upload. This template sets that structure up for you.
What is the EMBO Journal Template?
It is a manuscript shell aligned to EMBO Journal. It covers front matter, the abstract the journal expects, a body organized to the journal's article types, and a reference list in the journal's required style. Confirm current scope and article types on the EMBO Journal page before you draft.
What's actually in an EMBO J submission:
Prepare the title, authors, affiliations, and ORCID iDs. Write the abstract to the journal's rule and word limit, organize the body to the article type, and apply the required reference style from the first citation. Complete every declaration (ethics, competing interests, funding, data availability) the EMBO Journal guide for authors lists, and cite figures and tables in order.
What separates a clean submission from one that gets kicked back:
The common failure modes are formatting or reference style that does not match the guide for authors, missing required statements, and an incomplete portal checklist. Clear all three against the EMBO Journal guide for authors before you submit.
What does this EMBO Journal Template include?
The shell mirrors what editorial staff check first: article-type fit, the abstract rules, required declarations, and the journal's reference style. For more detail see the author resources. When your draft is ready, upload it through the journal's submission system.
Steps to Use This Template with SciSpace Agent
- Click Start Writing on this page. The SciSpace Agent prompt screen opens with the template loaded.
- Use the loaded template, or upload a version your group already uses for EMBO J.
- Edit the prompt with your topic and article type, and note any requirement from the EMBO Journal guide for authors.
- Run the prompt. The agent drafts into the correct structure and reference style.
- Use View Outputs to verify required statements and formatting are present.
- Export and submit through the journal's submission system.
EMBO Journal Template Structure at a Glance
| Element | EMBO J requirement |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Single paragraph not exceeding 175 words. Unstructured (no specific headings required). Should describe all key novel findings of the study and be comprehensible to readers before they have read the paper. Reference citations within the abstract are not permitted and abbreviations should be avoided where possible |
| Main text | Research Articles: No strict format limitations, but text and figures should be concise. Editors may advise if manuscript needs condensing or rationalising. Articles usually include up to 10 main figures. Reviews: typically 4,000-6,000 words with up to 4 figures. Perspectives: up to 5,000 words with 4 figures and 50 references. Comment: 3-4 pages. Correspondence: max 900 words. Opinion: max 1,600 words |
| Declarations | Ethics approval/consent as applicable; competing interests; funding; data availability |
| Figures/tables | Publication-ready; cited in order |
| Supplemental | Upload separately when used |
| Keywords | Not specified in the official author guidelines |
| References | Harvard style (author-date). In-text citations by author and year (e.g., Smith & Jones, 2003; Smith et al, 2000 for >2 authors). References listed alphabetically by first author's surname in reference list. Journal names abbreviated according to Index Medicus and italicised. No limit on number of references for research papers. Primary literature citation required over review articles |
| Peer review | Single-anonymous (single-blind) by default - reviewers are aware of the names and affiliations of the authors, but reviewer reports provided to authors are anonymous unless a reviewer chooses to identify themselves. Authors may opt for double-anonymous (double-blind) peer review at the time of initial submission. Transparent editorial process for accepted manuscripts publishes Review Process File with all correspondence between authors and editorial office |
| Submission | emboj.msubmit.net/submit |
Quick Tips for Using the EMBO Journal Template
Read the EMBO Journal guide for authors once before drafting and once before upload. Draft the abstract after results are stable. Set the reference style before adding citations. Keep a cover letter that states your contribution and fit to EMBO Journal in under a page.
Best Practices
Skim two or three recent EMBO J papers to calibrate depth and figure style. Make the novelty clear in the first two pages. Deposit data and code when the policy on the EMBO Journal page requires it. Disclose any preprint or conference version with identifiers in the cover letter.
Before You Submit: Final Check
Do one focused pass against the EMBO Journal guide for authors: scope, length, reference style, required declarations, and figure quality. Then submit through the journal's submission system.
