The Lancet vs NEJM: Which to Submit To
How the two leading general-medicine journals differ on submission requirements, and what to check before you submit.
Guide
The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) are the two most competitive general-medicine journals. They share core expectations, a structured abstract, prospective trial registration, data sharing, and reporting-guideline compliance, but differ in abstract structure and house style. This page compares their submission requirements and what CheckMyManuscript checks for both.
The Lancet vs NEJM
| The Lancet | NEJM | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | General medicine, broad importance | General medicine, broad importance |
| Abstract format | Background / Methods / Findings / Interpretation / Funding | Structured abstract (per NEJM author center) |
| Distinctive element | Research in Context panel | Verify exact limits directly (crawler-restricted) |
| Open-access model | Hybrid (OA option) | Subscription with OA options |
| Reporting guidelines | CONSORT / PRISMA / STROBE | CONSORT / PRISMA / STROBE |
| Trial registration | Required | Required |
| Data sharing | Statement required | Statement required |
How The Lancet and NEJM differ
Both are general-medicine flagships with very low acceptance rates and broad readerships. The clearest submission difference is the abstract: The Lancet uses a five-part structure (Background, Methods, Findings, Interpretation, Funding) and a Research in Context panel, while NEJM uses its own structured abstract format. Confirm NEJM's exact limits in its author center, which restricts automated access.
Which should you submit to
Both want findings of broad importance to medicine. Choose on fit and scope, then prepare to each journal's exact instructions. Whichever you choose, the underlying reporting-guideline requirements (CONSORT for trials, PRISMA for reviews, STROBE for observational studies) are the same.
The Lancet: five-part structured abstract + Research in Context panel
NEJM: structured abstract per NEJM author center; verify limits directly
Both: prospective trial registration, data-sharing statement, disclosures
What CheckMyManuscript checks for both
CheckMyManuscript flags the presence and structure of the required elements for either journal, structured abstract, trial registration, data sharing, disclosures, and the matching reporting-guideline checklist. It checks presence and structure, not methodological quality, and does not replace peer review.
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Frequently asked questions
No. The Lancet uses a five-part structured abstract (Background, Methods, Findings, Interpretation, Funding) with a Research in Context panel. NEJM uses its own structured abstract format; confirm the exact subheadings and word limit in NEJM's author center.
Yes. Both The Lancet and NEJM expect prospective registration of clinical trials in a public registry, with the registration number reported, in line with ICMJE-style expectations.
Yes. CheckMyManuscript checks the presence and structure of each journal's required elements. It does not judge whether your findings are important enough for either journal, and it does not replace peer review.