To write a cover letter for Nature Human Behaviour, you must submit a separate, brief cover letter that explains the significance of your study, confirms it is original and not under consideration elsewhere, and suggests appropriate handling editors. The journal’s guidelines explicitly ask for this letter, and it is read by the editor who decides whether to send your manuscript for peer review.
What the Journal Expects
Nature Human Behaviour is a selective monthly journal covering all aspects of human behaviour, from psychology and neuroscience to economics and sociology. Like other Nature research journals, it operates a two-stage review process. First, an in-house editor reads your submission and decides whether the work is novel, methodologically sound, and of broad interest. Only about 10–15% of submissions pass this triage stage. The cover letter is your only direct opportunity to persuade that editor before they look at your paper.
The editors publish detailed submission guidelines, and the cover letter requirements are straightforward. You must state that the manuscript is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration by another journal. You should also confirm that all authors have approved the submission. Beyond those formalities, the letter should explain why your findings matter to a general scientific audience, not just to specialists in your sub-field.
Structure of an Effective Letter
A strong cover letter for this journal is usually one page, rarely two. The structure follows a standard academic format:
- Salutation: Address the editor by name if you know it; otherwise use “Dear Editors.”
- Opening paragraph: State the title of your manuscript and the type of article (e.g., Article, Brief Communication).
- Significance paragraph: Explain the research question, your main finding, and why it advances the field. Frame it for a non-specialist.
- Fit paragraph: Explain why Nature Human Behaviour is the right venue, referencing the journal’s scope.
- Formal statements: Confirm originality, author approval, and no competing interests.
- Closing: Thank the editor and sign off.
Keep the tone factual and confident. Avoid overclaiming (“this is the first study to…”) unless you can support it. Editors see hundreds of letters that say “groundbreaking” and “novel”; instead, show the concrete advance your work represents.
What to Emphasize in the Significance Paragraph
The editor is not an expert in your narrow topic, so you must translate your work. Focus on the conceptual takeaway. For example, if you studied decision-making under uncertainty, do not lead with the specific computational model you used; lead with what the model revealed about human choice. Ask yourself: what would a psychologist, a neuroscientist, and an economist all find interesting here?
Concrete examples help. If your study used a large dataset, mention the sample size and the type of data (e.g., 10,000 participants from a national panel). If you ran a preregistered experiment, say so—this signals methodological rigour. If your finding has practical implications (e.g., for public health policy or workplace design), mention them briefly, but do not overstate the application.
Also, state the main result in one sentence, with the direction and magnitude if relevant. For instance: “We found that participants who received a 10-minute mindfulness intervention showed a 15% reduction in stress-related amygdala reactivity compared to controls.” That is specific and informative.
How to Choose Suggested Editors
The online submission system asks you to suggest handling editors. You are not required to name specific people, but it can help. The journal lists its editors on its website; choose someone whose background matches your topic. For example, if your paper is about social cognition, suggest an editor with a neuroscience or social psychology background. If you do not know any editors personally, it is acceptable to leave this field blank or write “No preference.”
You may also suggest reviewers, but the cover letter itself is not the place for that list. The submission system has a separate field for suggested referees. Keep the cover letter focused on the manuscript and its significance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Several recurring errors weaken cover letters to this journal:
- Repeating the abstract: The cover letter should be a different, more accessible summary, not a copy-paste of your abstract.
- Technical jargon: If the editor cannot understand the first paragraph, they will not read further. Define acronyms and avoid field-specific shorthand.
- Excessive length: More than two pages suggests you cannot prioritise. Editors read quickly.
- Overstating novelty: Claims like “unprecedented” or “paradigm-shifting” are red flags. Let the evidence speak.
- Ignoring the journal’s scope: Nature Human Behaviour publishes work with broad implications. If your study is purely methodological, consider a specialty journal.
- Forgetting the formal declarations: Missing the originality statement can delay your submission.
One more subtle point: do not mention the journal’s impact factor or prestige. Editors know their journal’s standing; flattery is unnecessary and can seem manipulative.
Template and Sample
Dear [Editor Name or “Editors”],
We are submitting our manuscript, “[Full Title],” for consideration as an [Article / Brief Communication] in Nature Human Behaviour.
Our study addresses [broad research question]. Using [method/approach], we found that [one-sentence main result]. This finding advances our understanding of [broader topic] by [specific contribution]. We believe it will interest a wide audience because [why it matters beyond your field].
This work is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration by any other journal. All authors have approved the submission and declare no competing interests.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Corresponding Author Name]
[Affiliation]
[Email]
Sample (fictional):
Dear Dr. Chen,
We are submitting our manuscript, “Daily Nature Exposure Reduces Stress-Related Cortisol in Urban Office Workers,” for consideration as an Article in Nature Human Behaviour.
Our study addresses whether brief, routine exposure to urban green spaces can lower physiological stress. Using a randomized crossover design with 120 office workers, we found that a 20-minute lunchtime walk in a park reduced salivary cortisol by 12% compared with a walk on a busy street. This finding advances our understanding of how built environments affect mental health and has direct implications for urban planning and workplace wellness programmes.
This work is original, has not been published previously, and is not under consideration by any other journal. All authors have approved the submission and declare no competing interests.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Smith
Department of Psychology, University of Example
jane.smith@example.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cover letter for Nature Human Behaviour?
Yes. The journal’s submission guidelines require a cover letter. It is part of the online submission process and is used by the editor during initial screening. Submitting without one may delay your manuscript or lead to an immediate return without review.
How long should the cover letter be?
One page is typical and sufficient. Two pages is acceptable for complex, multi-study papers, but rarely necessary. Editors prefer concise letters that get to the point quickly. If your letter exceeds two pages, it is likely too long.
Should I name suggested reviewers in the cover letter?
No. The submission system has a dedicated field for suggested reviewers. Including them in the cover letter is redundant and can be overlooked. Use the system’s field instead, and keep the cover letter for the manuscript’s significance and formal declarations.
Can I submit without suggesting an editor?
Yes. The field for suggested handling editors is optional. If you do not know the editorial team, leave it blank or write “No preference.” The editor-in-chief will assign your manuscript to an appropriate editor based on its content.
What if my paper is rejected without review?
This is common; most submissions to Nature Human Behaviour are declined after initial screening. If you receive a desk rejection, the cover letter did not convince the editor of the paper’s broad significance or fit. You may revise the letter and resubmit to another journal. Do not resubmit the same manuscript to the same journal without a substantial revision and a new cover letter explaining what changed.