The Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications publishes carefully selected papers covering mathematical optimization techniques and their applications to science and engineering. An applications paper should be as much about the application of an optimization technique as it is about the solution of a particular problem. Typical theoretical areas covered in the journal include linear, nonlinear, mathematical, and dynamic programming. Among the areas of application covered are mathematical economics, mathematical physics and biology, and aerospace, chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications journal publishes six types of contributions: regular papers, invited papers, survey papers, technical notes, book notices, and forums (very short papers containing comments on published papers, discussions of open problems, discussions of research perspectives, and so on).

優化理論和應用雜志出版精心挑選的論文，涵蓋數學優化技術及其在科學和工程中的應用。一篇應用論文應該是關于優化技術的應用，就像它是關于一個特定問題的解決一樣。該雜志涵蓋的典型理論領域包括線性、非線性、數學和動態規劃。應用領域包括數學經濟學、數學物理和生物學、航空航天、化學、民用、電氣和機械工程。優化理論與應用雜志發表了六種類型的貢獻:常規論文、邀請論文、調查論文、技術說明、圖書通知和論壇(包含對已發表論文的評論、公開問題的討論、研究視角的討論等非常短的論文)。