How do program chairs make acceptance or rejection decisions?

Paige Watson

Updated on 10 March 2026

• Copy Link

Program Chairs are responsible for making the final decision on each submission after evaluating reviewer feedback, scores, and overall paper quality. Based on these evaluations, the program chair can accept, reject, or request revisions for the paper.

PeerSubmit provides a structured interface where program chairs can review submission details, reviewer comments, and AI insights before making a final decision.

Step 1: Log in to PeerSubmit

• Log in to your PeerSubmit account using your registered email and password.
• Select the conference where you are assigned as a Program Chair.

Step 2: Open the Submissions Page

• Navigate to the Submissions section in the conference dashboard.
• Browse the list of submitted papers.
• Click the submission you want to evaluate.

Step 3: Review Feedback and Evaluation

• Review the manuscript and submission details.
• Open the Review tab to see reviewer scores and comments.
• Check AI-generated insights such as AI Summary, AI Review, and AI Verdict if available.

Step 4: Choose the Final Decision

• On the submission page, choose the appropriate decision option.
• Available options typically include:
• • Accept
  • Reject
  • Request Revision

Step 5: Provide Decision Comments

• Add comments explaining the decision.
• These comments may be shared with the authors to provide feedback.
• Ensure the decision explanation is clear and constructive.

Step 6: Submit the Decision

• Click the Submit button to finalize the decision.
• Authors will be notified about the decision through the platform.
• If revisions are requested, authors can upload a revised manuscript for further review.

Best Practices for Final Decisions

• Carefully review all reviewer comments and scores.
• Ensure decisions align with conference evaluation standards.
• Provide constructive feedback to help authors improve their work.
• Maintain fairness and transparency in the decision-making process.

Making well-informed decisions ensures that only high-quality research is accepted for presentation and publication at the conference.