This is a hot topic right now. Here's why
In 2026, the issue of publishing in Category “B” journals became a truly pressing one—and here’s why.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine issued Order No. 56 dated January 19, 2026, which completely changes the rules of the game for scientific journals. All Category “B” journals currently on the List will remain valid only until June 1, 2026. After that date, only those publications that pass the new rating selection based on a point system will remain valid.
What does this mean in practice? Some of the journals in which you planned to publish may lose their professional status. The backlogs at the remaining journals are already growing. Prices are already rising. And if you need to get published—the window of opportunity is much wider now than it will be after June 1.
An article published before June 1, 2026, in a journal that had peer-reviewed status at that time counts—even if the journal later loses that status. That’s why you should publish now, while there are still options to choose from.
For more details on the Ministry of Education and Science’s new requirements and what they mean for researchers, read our article "New Requirements for Category B Professional Publications in 2026: What Lies Ahead for Professional Journals". Here, let's focus on the main point: how to find the right journal and get published quickly.
How to Find a "Category B" Journal with Fast Publication
Finding a journal isn't just a matter of "Googling it and choosing the first one." Choosing the wrong journal can mean months of waiting—or even rejection. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1. Check the current list from the Ministry of Education and Science
Start only with the official source—the list on the Ministry of Education and Science website (nauka.gov.ua) or at fakh.com.ua, which offers a convenient search function with filters by field and specialty. Don't rely on "the journal where a colleague published three years ago"—the status of publications changes regularly.
Important: Check the journal's status as of the article's scheduled publication date, not the submission date. If the journal loses its status between submission and publication, the article will not be counted.
Step 2. Look for magazines with the highest publication frequency
This is the easiest way to shorten the wait. A journal that publishes 12 times a year has a much shorter backlog than one that publishes 4 times a year. Look for publications that come out 6–12 times a year—these are the ones that offer a real chance of getting published quickly.
Step 3. Write to the editorial staff before submitting
Before you spend time formatting your manuscript, write a letter to the editor. Ask: How long is the current waiting list? When will the next issue be published? Are there any openings? It will take 10 minutes, but it could save you months. Editors are happy to respond—it’s standard practice.
Step 4. Check out subscription-based magazines
Journals that charge an article processing charge (APC) typically process manuscripts faster than those that are free. In 2026, the typical range for APCs is 1,600 UAH for an online publication. For urgent situations, this is a worthwhile investment: You’re not paying to “buy” a publication, but to expedite the process in a legitimate journal.
What to Check Before Submitting — A Quick Guide
Three Real Reasons Why Articles Are Rejected in Category "B"
In Category “B,” rejections occur less frequently than in Scopus, but they do happen. And almost always for one of three reasons:
1. The article does not fit the journal's scope
The most common reason. The editorial board will simply return your manuscript without review if the topic does not fit the journal’s scope. Before submitting, read 2–3 recent issues. If there are no articles on similar topics, this journal is not the right fit for you.
2. The technical presentation does not meet the requirements
Each Category “B” journal has its own Author Guidelines: font, indentation, abstract structure, citation style, ORCID requirement, and reference list format. If a manuscript is formatted “roughly”—it will be returned for revision or rejected outright. Review the requirements before you start writing, not after.
3. Plagiarism or self-plagiarism
All manuscripts are checked by the editorial staff using specialized services. If the text's uniqueness falls below the threshold, the article is automatically rejected.
- The acceptable coincidence threshold is no more than 25%;
- Recommended uniqueness: 80% and higher;
- Translating one's own previously published article without citing the source is also a form of self-plagiarism;
- Check your text using StrikePlagiarism or Antiplagiat before submitting it—not after.
Conclusion
Publishing in a Category B journal is a straightforward process with clear rules. But in 2026, there is one important detail that deserves to be discussed honestly.
After June 1, 2026, the number of journals on the Ministry of Education and Science’s list will be significantly reduced. Waitlists are already getting longer, and prices are already rising. This is no reason to panic—but it is a reason to act now, while there is still a selection of journals with fast turnaround times.
The good news is that the publication process hasn't changed. Choosing the right journal, preparing a technically flawless manuscript, and communicating effectively with the editorial board—that's the proven path to success.
If you've read this guide all the way through, you already have a better understanding of the process than most of your colleagues, who rush to publish without preparation and waste months on rejections and resubmissions.
And most importantly: if you’re running out of time before the deadline, don’t try to do everything on your own. Choosing a journal, preparing the manuscript, and corresponding with the editorial board are routine tasks that you can delegate. Your time is more valuable.
We’ll find a relevant professional journal that matches your field, topic, and desired publication timeline—and guide you through the entire process until publication.
