What Does “All Reviewers Assigned” Mean at Nature Communications?

At Nature Communications, “All reviewers assigned” generally means the journal has completed or recorded the reviewer assignments for the current review round. Since you submitted a revised manuscript, this usually indicates that the revision is being sent for further assessment.

It is a process update, not a decision. It does not mean the manuscript has been accepted, rejected, or even that all review reports have arrived. The exact meaning can depend on the journal’s submission system and workflow.

What happens after reviewers are assigned?

The assigned reviewers assess the revised manuscript and may check whether you addressed the points raised in the previous round. They send their comments to the editor, who considers those reports along with your response letter and the revised paper. The editor then decides whether to accept the manuscript, request further changes, or reject it.

A revision may be sent to the original reviewers, but the journal can also use different reviewers or involve the editor in assessing some or all of the changes. The status label does not tell you who the reviewers are or whether they have seen the revision yet.

Does “assigned” mean they accepted the invitation?

Not necessarily. The label indicates that reviewer assignments have been recorded, but by itself it may not specify whether each person has accepted an invitation, started reviewing, or returned a report. Submission systems use status labels differently, so avoid reading more into this wording than it provides.

A later status may indicate that reviews are complete or that an editorial decision is being prepared, but the exact wording and order of updates can vary. You may also receive an email from the journal when there is a decision or when action is needed from you.

Is this a good or bad sign?

It is not a reliable sign either way. It means the manuscript is progressing through the editorial process, but reviewer assignment does not predict the outcome. Reviewers can recommend different outcomes, and the editor—not the status label—makes the decision.

What should you do?

For now, check the submission portal occasionally and watch for official emails. You generally do not need to take any action while the manuscript is under review. Review times vary with reviewer availability and the journal’s workflow, so a period with no visible status change is not necessarily a problem.

If the status remains unchanged for an unusually long time, or substantially exceeds any timeline the journal gave you, you can send a brief, polite inquiry to the editorial office. Include the manuscript ID and submission date. For example:

Dear Editorial Office, I am writing to ask whether there is an update on the review of my revised manuscript, [manuscript ID], submitted on [date]. I understand that review can take time and would be grateful for any information you can share. Best regards, [name]

Do not submit the same manuscript elsewhere while it is still under consideration unless you have formally withdrawn it and received confirmation.