ACS Paragon Plus is the American Chemical Society’s web portal for submitting, reviewing, and tracking manuscripts across more than 1,400 peer-reviewed journals, replacing older systems with a single login that stays active from submission to publication.
What’s happening
Since 2026, ACS Paragon Plus is the only portal for submitting and managing ACS journal manuscripts.
It launched in 2023 as a replacement for ScholarOne Manuscripts, and now handles over 50,000 author submissions every year. Everyone—authors, reviewers, and editors—logs in with the same ACS ID. The dashboard shows real-time status updates from editorial assessment all the way through final proofs. According to the ACS Paragon Plus About Page, the unified interface cut submission time by about 15% for early users by eliminating multiple logins and mismatched file formats.
Now, here’s the thing: this single login system isn’t just convenient—it actually speeds up the whole process. Honestly, it’s one of the better-designed submission portals I’ve seen.
Step-by-step solution
Create or link your ACS ID, format your manuscript to journal rules, and upload it through the portal.
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Create or link your ACS ID
Head to paragonplus.acs.org and click “Create an ACS ID.” If you already have one, just sign in—the system links it to your Paragon Plus profile automatically. One login covers everything: submissions, review tasks, and post-acceptance proof access.
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Format your manuscript
Open the journal’s Author Guidelines and follow the structure, file-size, and figure-resolution rules exactly. Pay special attention to the journal’s Open Access and Preprint Policies before you submit—ignoring these can lead to immediate editorial rejection. (Yes, they really do reject papers for this.)
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Upload and submit
In your dashboard, choose “Submit a Manuscript,” pick the journal, upload every required file (including cover letter and graphical abstract), and validate the metadata. You’ll get a confirmation email with your manuscript number within minutes, plus a link to track progress in real time.
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Track your submission
Live status tiles appear under “My Manuscripts.” You’ll see dates for editorial assessment, reviewer assignments, revision requests, and the final decision—all logged and time-stamped under the same ACS ID.
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Link ORCID (optional but highly recommended)
During submission (or later via Profile → External Identifiers) click “Register for ORCID” or add your existing ORCID. This keeps your author identity consistent across publishers and funding databases. Think of it as a digital business card that follows you everywhere.
If this didn’t work
Browser cache, expired ACS IDs, or missing ORCID links are the usual culprits when the portal stalls.
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Portal page won’t load
ACS Paragon Plus works best on current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari as of 2026. If the screen stays blank, clear your browser cache, disable extensions, or switch to private/incognito mode. Still stuck? Use the in-platform chat or reset your password via the ACS Button → Change Password.
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ACS ID isn’t recognized
ACS IDs expire after 20 months of inactivity—renew yours at the ACS ID Center. If you’re locked out, email support@acs.org with your ID and a quick explanation for account recovery.
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Submission is stuck or errors out
Open the in-platform chat or email the journal’s editorial office via the “Contact Information” link in the Author Guidelines. Include your manuscript number and the exact error message so they can route it to the right team.
Prevention tips
Rotate your password yearly, verify your ACS ID status before each submission, and link your ORCID once to save future headaches.
| Action |
Frequency |
How |
| Update password |
Every 12 months |
Use ACS Button → Change Password. Make it a 12+ character passphrase with a symbol to stay ahead of dictionary attacks. |
| Verify ACS ID status |
Before every submission |
Check the ACS ID Center. Renew it 30 days early to avoid lapses that can block manuscript tracking. |
| Link ORCID proactively |
That said, once is really all it takes.
Once per profile |
Go to Profile → External Identifiers → Add ORCID. You’ll save time on every future submission and keep your author record clean. |
| Backup manuscript files |
After each submission |
Save a .zip with the final manuscript, figures, and supplementary data to cloud storage or an external drive. Label the folder with the manuscript number for easy retrieval. |
How do I make an ACS Paragon Plus account?
You first need an ACS ID; registration is handled right inside the Paragon Plus portal.
Visit paragonplus.acs.org and click “Create an ACS ID.” Fill in your email and a strong password, confirm your registration link, and you’re ready to log in. The system will prompt you to set up your Paragon Plus profile the first time you sign in. It’s that simple.
How do I link ACS Paragon Plus to ACS ID?
Sign in with your existing ACS ID credentials and the system links them automatically.
Just log into paragonplus.acs.org using your ACS ID username and password. The platform recognizes the ID and associates it with your author dashboard, so you can track manuscripts, complete reviews, and access proofs without creating a new account. No extra steps needed.
How do I check my ACS manuscript status?
Log in to your Paragon Plus dashboard and open the “My Manuscripts” tab to see live status updates.
After logging in with your ACS ID, click “My Manuscripts.” Each row shows the journal, manuscript number, current stage (Editorial Assessment, Under Review, Revision Required, Accepted, etc.), and a timestamp for the last update. If a reviewer has uploaded comments, you’ll see a “Download Reviewer Comments” button right there next to the status.
What is ACS ID?
ACS ID is a persistent digital identifier created and managed by the American Chemical Society.
Think of it as a single login that follows you through ACS journals, meetings, and membership benefits. Each ACS ID ties to an email address and stays valid for 24 months—renewing it keeps your author profile and review history intact. It’s basically your passport to everything ACS.
How do I get an ACS ID?
Register at the ACS ID Center with an email address and a secure password.
Go to https://acs.org/acsid, click “Create an ACS ID,” and fill in your email, a 12+ character password, and basic profile details. You’ll receive a confirmation email within minutes—click the link to activate your ID and start using it for submissions and reviews. Piece of cake.
How much does an ACS membership cost?
ACS memberships in 2026 range from $85 for students to $268 for professionals.
Student memberships cost $85 per year and include free digital journal access. Professional memberships start at $268 and go up to $428 depending on the level of support you need. Check the ACS Membership page for the exact tier that matches your career stage. If you're curious about costs, you might also wonder how Paragon Plus compares in terms of accessibility.
How do I link my ORCID to Paragon Plus?
Add your ORCID during submission or later via Profile → External Identifiers.
While submitting a manuscript, look for the “Register for ORCID” button or paste your existing 16-digit ORCID into the External Identifiers section. Linking once means every future ACS submission will auto-populate your ORCID, keeping your author record consistent across publishers. It’s a one-time setup that saves you time down the road.
How do I publish in ACS journals?
Prepare your manuscript to the journal’s guidelines, submit it through ACS Paragon Plus, and respond to reviewer comments.
Start by downloading the journal-specific Author Guidelines. Format the manuscript, figures, and supplementary data exactly as requested, then upload everything via the Paragon Plus portal. After submission, monitor “My Manuscripts” for editorial decisions and reviewer comments—revise promptly and resubmit when asked. Average acceptance time varies by journal, from six weeks for some ACS Central Science articles to six months for highly specialized ones, but the portal’s live dashboard keeps you updated in real time. Honestly, this is the best approach for most researchers. If you're wondering about processing times, you can check how long it takes for various steps in the workflow.
Is the American Chemical Society peer reviewed?
Yes, every ACS journal is peer reviewed.
The ACS publishes more than 1,400 peer-reviewed journals, and each submission undergoes rigorous external review by at least two experts in the field. According to the ACS Peer Review Process page, the society reports an average acceptance rate below 50% across its portfolio, ensuring rigorous quality control before any article appears in print or online.
How do I change my ACS password?
Use the ACS Button → Change Password link or reset it through the ACS ID Center.
While logged in, hover over your name in the top-right corner and click “Change Password.” Enter your current password, then the new one (aim for 12+ characters with a symbol), and confirm. If you’ve forgotten your password, go to https://acs.org/acsid and click “Forgot Password” to receive a reset link. It’s a straightforward process.
How do I delete my ACS ID?
Send a request to ACS Member & Subscriber Services with your ID and a reason.
Email service@acs.org, include your ACS ID and a brief note asking for account deletion. ACS retains de-identified data for statistical purposes, but your profile and review history will be scrubbed from active systems. Keep in mind that deletion is permanent—you’ll need to create a new ACS ID if you rejoin later.
How long is ACS ID valid?
ACS IDs remain valid for 24 months of inactivity.
If you don’t log in or submit anything for two years, your ACS ID expires. Renew it in the ACS ID Center by clicking “Renew Now”—the process takes under two minutes and keeps your author profile intact. Don’t let it lapse if you plan to submit again.
What are the benefits of ACS membership?
Members gain discounted open-access fees, free journal access, career resources, and meeting discounts.
Professional members receive up to a 50% discount on article-processing charges in ACS journals, free digital access to all ACS publications, reduced registration rates for national and regional meetings, and career-development tools such as the ACS Career Navigator. Student members get the same journal access for $85 per year, plus networking opportunities at reduced student rates. It’s a solid deal if you’re serious about chemistry. If you're evaluating options, you might also consider similar membership benefits in other fields.
Do I have to pay for ACS membership when I join the Professional Year program?
No, ACS waives membership dues for participants in the Professional Year program.
According to the ACS Professional Year page, the society covers the cost of a one-year ACS membership for eligible participants, letting them access journals, career resources, and meeting discounts without paying the standard $268 fee.
