The Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory has introduced a submission cap, approved by the PMRA Board and effective from July 1, 2026. The cap is intended to protect the quality of the journal’s editorial process and its reviewers at a time when submission volumes are increasing rapidly, partly due to AI generated content.

The cap limits the number of manuscripts an individual author can submit within a calendar year. A submitted manuscript counts toward the cap for every listed author, whether that person is the sole author, first author, co-author, or corresponding author.

The cap has two limits, calculated on a calendar-year basis. An author can submit no more than two manuscripts that are desk rejected in a calendar year, and no more than three manuscripts in total in a calendar year.

Because the cap takes effect on July 1, 2026, JPART will apply a transitional rule for the remainder of 2026. Submissions made earlier in 2026 will count toward the annual cap, but the cap for 2026 will be increased to three manuscripts that are desk rejected and four manuscripts in total. This transitional flexibility applies only in 2026. From January 1, 2027, the cap will apply fully on a calendar-year basis.