Aims and scope

The Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications is committed to publishing meticulously chosen, high-quality papers encompassing a range of contributions, including research papers, invited papers, survey papers, and technical notes. The content of the journal revolves around mathematical optimization techniques, computational methodologies of optimization algorithms, and their diverse applications in science, engineering, and business.

Theoretical domains covered in the journal include linear, nonlinear, conic, stochastic, discrete, and dynamic optimization, multiobjective optimization, optimal control, as well as variational and convex analysis. Application areas span mathematical economics, mathematical physics and biology, and various branches of engineering, including aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The journal encourages submissions in recent, emerging, and novel areas of optimization, such as machine/deep learning, artificial intelligence,  service systems optimization, and quantum computing optimization.

The Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications embraces a comprehensive approach, particularly embracing the application of rigorous optimization techniques in solving high impact problems. It provides a platform for book notices, and forums – the latter being concise papers facilitating comments on published works, discussions on open problems, and exploration of research perspectives. Through this diverse range of contributions, the journal aims to advance optimization sciences and their applications in various scientific and engineering domains.

Special Issue on SI: 75 Years of Copositivity
提出日: 2026-03-31

In the past decades, copositivity gained popularity as a key concept for optimization, which can handle nonconvex, mixed-integer and polynomial optimization problems. On occasion of the 75th anniversary of copositivity (2027), we are aiming to cover the area in a comprehensive and concise way and expect this collection to become a major reference source for researchers and teachers in mathematics, computer science, engineering and economics. The purpose of this collection is manifold: to collect as many reliable historical facts about the early days of copositivity as possible, to present an overview of the diverse streams of research since then, and to provide an up-to-date survey of recent advances and future perspectives, with a scope as comprehensive as possible. In particular, we welcome submissions focusing on computationally tractable procedures, involving ideas from copositivity. 

Special Issue on Image Space Analysis, Optimization and Equilibrium Problems
提出日: 2026-09-01

The scope of this Special Issue is to commemorate our esteemed colleague Franco Giannessi who passed away in summer 2025. The research of Franco Giannessi mainly focused on the study of Optimization, Equilibrium problems and Variational Inequalities, where he gave a relevant contribution based, in particular, on the introduction of the Image Space Analysis. Besides obtaining remarkable results both from the theoretical and the applications point of view, the peculiarity of Franco’s activity is to have formed many researchers under his guidance and proposed new challenging approaches. Submission Deadline: September 1, 2026 

Special Issue on SI: Optimization Techniques and Applications - ICOTA2026
提出日: 2026-09-30

Optimization techniques are indispensable tools for addressing complex challenges across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, management, artificial intelligence, and operations research. This special issue aims to bring together high-quality original research and survey papers reflecting the latest advances in optimization theory, methodologies, and real-world applications. It is dedicated to the 12th International Conference on Optimization Techniques and Applications (ICOTA2026), to be held in Shanghai, China, from April 10–12, 2026. The timeliness of this issue lies in the continuous evolution of optimization theory and algorithms, as well as the growing need for innovative solutions to classical and emerging problems in both research and industry. Submission deadline: September 30, 2026 

Special Issue on SI: The impact of 4*50 years research in mathematical optimization
提出日: 2026-11-30

The VOCAL Conference is a meeting point for the Central European mathematical optimization community and many of their international colleagues in this research area. In 2026, four professors — Tibor Csendes, Goran Lesaja, Yurii Nesterov and Zsolt Páles — will celebrate their 70th birthdays. The VOCAL Conference in 2026 will celebrate their scientific achievements and influence. Together, our four colleagues have accumulated approximately 200 years working on mathematical optimization. Our aim is to publish scientific papers related to the work of these colleagues from the VOCAL Conference community and beyond. The special issue will focus on the following classes of problems aiming at both theoretical questions and solution methods: linear optimization, linear complementarity problems, semidefinite optimization and symmetric optimization. Papers are also welcome from the following areas: global optimization, vector optimization, game theory, duality theory, generalized convexity, stochastic programming and integer programming. Since our community is also interested in novel applications of operations research, such as models and solution methods related to big data, machine learning, and neural networks, papers on these topics will receive our welcome and attention as well. Submission deadline: 30 November 2026 Guest Editors Giancarlo Bigi (lead guest editor), giancarlo.bigi@unipi.it Botond Bertók, botondbertok@gmail.com Etienne de Klerk, E.deKlerk@tilburguniversity.edu Marianna E.-Nagy, marianna.eisenberg-nagy@uni-corvinus.hu 

Special Issue on SI: Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization Theory: In Honor of Professor Simeon Reich's 80th Birthday
提出日: 2026-12-31

Professor Simeon Reich (born 1948, Krakow, Poland) is an esteemed Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, where he received his BSc (1970) and DSc (1973) degrees. His academic appointments have spanned numerous prestigious institutions globally, including the University of Chicago, the University of California at Berkeley and Santa Barbara, Tel Aviv University, the University of Southern California, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and UMCS (Lublin). Professor Reich is a leading authority in Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization. His research expertise covers a wide range of topics, such as nonlinear operator theory, nonlinear evolution and integral equations, the identification and estimation of nonlinear distributed parameter systems, infinite dimensional holomorphy, variational inequalities, and sequential and parallel algorithms in feasibility and optimization. Professor Reich's profound scholarly contributions are evidenced by his extensive publication record, which includes four monographs, twenty-one edited volumes, and more than 700 research papers in his specialization. Furthermore, he has made significant contributions to mentorship, having successfully supervised seventeen PhD students and ten MSc students. He is listed in the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists. The purpose of this Special Issue is to pay tribute to the significant contributions in these fields of Professor Simeon Reich and provide some important recent advances in theory, methods, and applications. We cordially and earnestly invite researchers to contribute their original and high-quality research papers which will inspire advances in nonlinear analysis, optimization, and their applications. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: • Nonlinear analysis; • Fixed point theory; • Non-smooth analysis and optimization; • Algorithms for nonlinear problems; • Variational analysis; • Convex analysis Submission deadline: December 31, 2026