Propose a Special Issue for JCGB
Design an authoritative collection that accelerates progress in cancer genetics and biomarker science—and let JCGB amplify your impact.
Why Lead a JCGB Special Issue?
Special issues provide a powerful platform to align international expertise around a pressing challenge in precision oncology. As a guest editor with the Journal of Cancer Genetics and Biomarkers (JCGB), you can curate transformative content, strengthen research networks, and shape the research agenda for cancer genomics, biomarker discovery, and personalised medicine. JCGB offers the editorial infrastructure, marketing reach, and community engagement to ensure your special issue generates tangible scientific and clinical outcomes.
Your proposal should outline a theme that meets the following criteria:
- Scientific urgency: Addresses an emerging or underexplored topic with direct implications for detection, prognostication, or treatment of cancer.
- Translational relevance: Connects laboratory discoveries to clinical decision-making, public health, or policy impact.
- Diverse participation: Engages authorship from multiple regions, career stages, and disciplinary perspectives, with clear inclusion strategies for underrepresented groups.
- Sustainability: Demonstrates potential for lasting influence via practice guidelines, data resources, or follow-up collaborations.
Use the following structure to craft a compelling proposal. Concise (4–6 page) documents are preferred.
1. Executive Summary
- Working title and proposed tagline (max 20 words)
- Lead guest editor(s) with affiliation, ORCID, and contact information
- Supporting guest editors or advisory panel members
- Three-sentence rationale explaining timeliness and unique JCGB fit
2. Thematic Scope
- Audience: primary researchers, clinicians, regulators, or cross-sector teams
- Scientific domains to be covered (e.g., molecular mechanisms, biomarker validation, clinical deployment)
- Key questions or hypotheses the collection will address
- Anticipated manuscript types (original research, reviews, data descriptors, commentary)
3. Contributor Strategy
- List of 12–18 prospective contributors with affiliation and tentative manuscript concepts
- Plans for open calls, webinars, or conference partnerships to source additional submissions
- Commitment to geographic, gender, and career-stage diversity
- Approach to mentoring early-career authors, where applicable
4. Timeline & Milestones
- Recruitment phase (e.g., “October–December 2024: secure invited authors and launch call”)
- Submission window with target deadlines
- Peer-review period and revision loops
- Expected publication and promotional plan (webinars, press releases, conference sessions)
5. Reviewer Network
- Suggested reviewer pool (8–12 names) spanning technical and clinical expertise
- Plans for reviewer mentoring or co-review initiatives
- Conflict-of-interest safeguards and alternative reviewer strategies
6. Impact & Legacy
- Envisioned outputs (e.g., consensus statements, open datasets, translational toolkits)
- Opportunities for follow-up events (workshops, think tanks, grant proposals)
- Metrics for success (citations, policy mentions, adoption by clinical programs)
Email your proposal to [email protected] with the subject line “JCGB Special Issue Proposal – [Proposed Title]”. Attach supporting documents in PDF format.
The Editor-in-Chief and section editors evaluate alignment with JCGB scope, editorial capacity, and market demand. Expect initial feedback within 15 business days.
If shortlisted, we schedule a 30-minute strategy call to refine timelines, promotional tactics, and resource support.
Approved proposals receive a memorandum outlining roles, responsibilities, APC arrangements, and communication protocols. Guest editors gain access to the ManuscriptZone special issue dashboard.
Guest Editors
- Shape the thematic vision and curate high-quality submissions
- Identify reviewers and manage peer-review decisions with JCGB oversight
- Author introductory editorials or concluding perspectives
- Participate in webinars, podcasts, or social media features promoting the collection
JCGB Editorial Office
- Provide proposal evaluation and onboarding guidance
- Coordinate marketing, email campaigns, and conference partnerships
- Support reviewer recruitment, conflict checks, and deadline tracking
- Handle production, layout, and digital asset creation (visual abstracts, infographics)
Authors & Reviewers
- Adhere to JCGB author guidelines and data transparency policies
- Disclose conflicts, ensure ethical compliance, and share supplementary materials
- Respond promptly to review requests, revision instructions, and production queries
- Marketing & Communications: Dedicated email newsletters, social media campaigns, KOL endorsements, and media outreach tailored to the theme.
- Event Integration: Alignment with cancer genomics conferences, virtual symposiums, and patient advocacy events to expand reach.
- Analytics Dashboard: Real-time tracking of submissions, reviewer turnaround, and author demographics available to guest editors.
- Language Editing & Formatting: Discounted services via the JCGB Language Editing Service for invited authors.
JCGB uses a balanced scorecard to assess proposals:
- Relevance (30%) – Alignment with JCGB’s aims, novelty, and potential to influence practice.
- Feasibility (20%) – Clarity of timeline, contributor commitments, and reviewer availability.
- Diversity (15%) – Inclusion of varied disciplines, geographies, genders, and career stages.
- Translational Pathways (20%) – Evidence of clinical, policy, or implementation impact.
- Legacy (15%) – Plans for datasets, toolkits, consensus statements, or follow-up collaborations.
Recent JCGB special issues illustrate the breadth of opportunities:
- “Neoantigen Vaccines for Solid Tumors” – Resulted in a cross-consortium data repository and new NIH-funded trials.
- “Multi-Omics for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer” – Generated a community guideline adopted by three major cancer centres.
- “AI and Digital Biomarkers in Oncology” – Influenced regulatory sandboxes exploring algorithm validation.
- Highlight how your theme differs from recent collections in JCGB or other oncology journals.
- Include preliminary commitments from thought leaders and rising stars.
- Outline how you will engage underrepresented regions or cancer types.
- Describe any collaborative infrastructure (consortia, shared datasets) that will support the collection.
- Propose creative dissemination assets—interactive dashboards, patient education materials, or clinician toolkits.
Can non-editorial board members propose a special issue?
Yes. JCGB welcomes proposals from external experts, provided at least one guest editor has a track record in cancer genetics or biomarker research and is willing to collaborate with a JCGB section editor.
What APC structure applies to special issues?
Standard APCs apply, but invited contributors receive priority review of waiver or discount requests via the JCGB Waiver Program 2025. Institutional memberships can be customised for large cohorts.
How many articles constitute a special issue?
We recommend 12–16 accepted manuscripts, including an editorial and optional perspective pieces. Micro-collections (6–8 articles) may be approved for highly focused topics.
Can we co-publish with other organisations?
Collaborations with societies, consortia, or advocacy groups are encouraged. All joint activities must preserve JCGB’s editorial independence and disclose sponsorship arrangements.
Ready to move forward? Follow this quick-start checklist:
- Download the optional proposal template (request via [email protected]).
- Gather your guest editor team and align on responsibilities.
- Draft your contributor outreach plan and identify initial invitees.
- Submit your proposal with a preferred launch window (quarter/year).
- Schedule a follow-up call within two weeks to refine logistics with JCGB.
Pitch Your Special Issue to JCGB
JCGB is ready to co-create a high-impact collection with you. From proposal to publication, our team will ensure your theme reaches the clinicians, scientists, and policy makers who can act on it.
Special Issue Planning Checklist
Request our editable checklist covering timelines, outreach, and launch assets.
Request ChecklistJCGB Editorial Policies
Ensure your concept aligns with peer review standards, ethics requirements, and data policies.
Explore PoliciesLanguage & Formatting Support
Invite contributors to use JCGB’s editing services for consistency across the collection.
View ServicesSubmit to an Active Issue
Share this link with collaborators who are ready to contribute.
Submit NowLast updated: September 2025. JCGB periodically refines special issue policies to reflect community needs, equity goals, and evolving best practices in precision oncology publishing.
