Spring 2026 Competition

Our call for Spring 2026 submissions is now open. Submit your work via Qualtrics here. Our initial deadline is February 11, 2026 at 11:59pm, though please check back regularly as this date may change.

Not all relevant information for submissions is on this page. Please see our Policies page for additional details on YJIA’s publication process.

SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES

Categories

YJIA considers four types of submissions: articles, op-eds, book reviews, and photo essays.

Please review the following guidelines for each category:

1) Articles

  • Should have a main argument that can typically be summarized in one sentence.

  • Must include clear, specific, and actionable policy recommendations.

  • Should be geared toward a knowledgeable reader of international affairs.

  • Should be between 1,500 and 2,500 words, though we will consider articles longer than that.

2) Op-Eds

  • Must make a single argument about a contemporary international issue.

  • Should be between 600 and 850 words, though we will consider articles longer than that.

3) Book reviews

  • Must be of a book published within a year of the submission deadline (i.e., after October 21, 2024).

  • Can also cover two books that discuss the same topic.

  • Should be no more than 1,500 words.

4) Photo essays

  • Must have an international theme.

  • Can feature up to 25 photos, all of which must have captions.

  • Must include an introduction of 500 words or fewer.

  • Include your photos in a word doc version. If you are selected for publication, our team will work with you to upload high-quality versions.

Preparing Your Submission

Please note the following points when readying your submission:

  • Must include a title of no more than 10 words, a short subtitle, an optional accompanying photograph, and an author bio of three sentences or fewer.

    • If included, a photograph must be licensed under Creative Commons for reproduction, or should be the author’s original image.

    • The bio must indicate any institutional affiliation.

  • Should conform to the conventions of the 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, with all citations taking the form of endnotes.

  • Can be in the following file format: docx. We will not accept .pdf files.

    • All figures, graphs, or tables must be submitted in the original format and should be created by the author. Please do not include graphics sourced from other publications unless they have been substantially adapted for your specific submission.

  • Must be exclusive to YJIA, unless the article is time-sensitive and the author acknowledges at the time of submission, in writing, that the draft has been sent to other publications. YJIA will not publish articles that have appeared or will appear in other publications or are substantially similar to other works fitting the same description.

Please note that authors may submit a maximum of one submission per type. Authors may not submit two op-eds, for example, but may submit one op-ed and one article for consideration. YJIA will only publish one submission per author; an author will not be published across two different article types in one cycle.

FURTHER NOTES

YJIA employs a double-blind selection process, where each submission is reviewed and scored multiple times by different members of the editorial team; where possible, editors with relevant expertise in the content area of the submission will review the submission.

  • The Journal relies on rigorous editing to improve the readability and overall quality of submissions. Edits are discussed in advance with authors, who may have to make revisions.

  • To prevent conflicts of interest, YJIA editors and other staff are prohibited from submitting to the Journal.

  • Selection for publication are made based primarily on two factors: originality of the argument or content, and quality of the writing. YJIA encourages authors to workshop their submissions with others to ensure that it means the highest standards of originality and quality.

YJIA enforces a no-tolerance policy on plagiarism. Every source referenced in the submission, whether implicitly or explicitly, must be cited, even if the source in question is by the author. If citations are not included where they are required, the submission will be disqualified. Authors are responsible for complying with copyright laws and must acknowledge that all work is original and their own.

There is no fee required for YJIA’s submission or publication process.

ABOUT YJIA

The Yale Journal of International Affairs (YJIA) is a graduate student-run publication that bridges the gap between academia and the policy world. YJIA publishes bold, original arguments and thoughtful critiques on international affairs, with a focus on the real-world and policy implications of the issues it covers. The journal features contributions from academic scholars, think tanks, policy practitioners, and students, reflecting diverse perspectives and areas of expertise.

YJIA publishes articles, interviews, op-eds, and photo essays through two calls for submissions each year: one in the fall for online publication and one in the spring for both print and online. As of 2021, YJIA uses an author-blind review process to ensure unbiased selection.

Past contributors to YJIA include Francis Gavin, Robert Jervis, John M. Owen IV, Marc Trachtenberg, Stephen M. Walt, David Cohen, Alexander Evans, Janet Napolitano, Oona Hathaway, Stanley McChrystal, Tony Blair, Paul Collier, Joseph Stiglitz, John Negroponte, and Mary Kaldor, among others. To view YJIA’s print archives, visit our Archives.

YJIA was established in 2004 by graduate students at Yale University’s MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies. Since 2011, YJIA has been proudly associated with Yale’s Jackson School of Global Affairs.

Due to volume, please note we are not be able to respond to every submission.