Charges Policy

Open access is a promise: that research will remain free to read, share, and build upon without barriers. To fulfill this promise sustainably, publishing relies on financial contributions from those who create the work rather than those who consume it. Our Charges Policy outlines how article processing charges (APCs) are applied, why they exist, and how we ensure fairness, transparency, and equity in their implementation.

Purpose of Charges

APCs are not fees for access but contributions that sustain the infrastructure of scholarly publishing. They support essential services such as:

• Rigorous peer review and editorial management.
• Professional copyediting, formatting, and typesetting.
• Permanent hosting and digital preservation.
• Metadata registration, DOI assignment, and indexing services.
• Integration with repositories and archiving systems.

These charges enable open dissemination of knowledge while ensuring that published work meets the highest scholarly and technical standards.

Transparency in Costs

Transparency is central to our approach. Authors are informed of APCs before submission, and no hidden costs are applied. The charges remain consistent across article types, unless otherwise stated, and reflect the true cost of managing and preserving scientific contributions.

Current Article Processing Charges

For most standard research articles, the APC is set at a level designed to balance sustainability with accessibility. For context:

*Exact amounts are reviewed periodically. Where official APCs are unavailable on legacy sites, values provided here reflect realistic benchmarks in the discipline. [ESTIMATED]

Waivers and Discounts

Recognizing that not all researchers have equal access to funding, a structured waiver and discount program is available. Priority is given to:

• Authors from low- and middle-income countries as classified by the World Bank.
• Independent researchers without institutional support.
• Early-career scholars who demonstrate financial need.

Requests for waivers are handled with care and confidentiality, reflecting our belief that financial barriers should never silence valuable contributions.

Refund Policy

As outlined separately, APCs are not refunded once peer review has begun, since significant resources are already committed. Exceptions apply in rare cases of duplicate payment or administrative error. Authors are encouraged to review the Refund Policy for details.

Equity and Values

The Charges Policy reflects not only financial considerations but values:

• Fairness: Fees are proportionate to the costs incurred, not inflated for profit.
• Integrity: Authors understand how their contributions sustain the publishing ecosystem.
• Openness: Waivers ensure that those without funds are not excluded from sharing their work.
• Accountability: Clear policies minimize misunderstandings and foster trust.

Our approach balances sustainability with compassion, ensuring that the open-access model serves science rather than restricting it.

Funding and Support

Authors are encouraged to explore institutional, governmental, and philanthropic funding sources that support open-access publishing. Many universities and funding agencies now provide APC grants. By drawing on such resources, authors help sustain the model while expanding the availability of knowledge worldwide.

Future Directions

Charges policies are dynamic and evolve with changes in publishing economics, funder requirements, and technological innovation. Potential future adjustments include tiered pricing models based on article length, subsidies from partnerships, or greater reliance on institutional agreements. Whatever the future brings, our guiding principles remain transparency, equity, and service to the scholarly community.

Conclusion

An APC is not a barrier but a contribution to a collective promise: that research will remain open and enduring. By being transparent about costs, fair in applying them, and compassionate in providing waivers, we create a system that honors the dignity of scholarship while ensuring its global accessibility. The Charges Policy is therefore not simply financial—it is a statement of values, balancing sustainability with the shared belief that knowledge belongs to all.