Refund Policy

The Archives of Biotechnology and Biomedicine operates on a transparent open-access publishing model supported by Article Processing Charges (APCs). These charges cover the costs of editorial management, peer review, copyediting, typesetting, online hosting, indexing, and digital preservation. Because APCs sustain the infrastructure of publication rather than serving as purchase fees, refunds are limited to specific, well-defined circumstances. This Refund Policy outlines when and how refunds may be considered and the responsibilities of both authors and the publisher.

General Principles

• Transparency: APCs and related costs are clearly communicated to authors prior to submission and payment.
• Fairness: Refunds are processed only when justified by genuine errors or extraordinary circumstances.
• Accountability: Both authors and the publisher are accountable for ensuring accurate financial and administrative transactions.
• Non-Commercial Basis: APCs are not subscription or access fees; therefore, refunds follow different principles than consumer purchases.

Circumstances Eligible for Refund

Refunds may be considered in the following situations:

• Duplicate Payment: If an author accidentally makes multiple payments for the same manuscript, the extra payment is refunded in full.
• Technical Errors: If payment processing errors occur (e.g., incorrect debits), refunds are issued after verification.
• Manuscript Not Processed: If a manuscript is withdrawn by the editorial office prior to peer review due to scope mismatch or administrative rejection, and APCs were already paid, authors may request a partial refund.
• Publisher Error: If publication cannot proceed due to technical or administrative errors by the publisher, a full refund may be issued.

Circumstances Not Eligible for Refund

Refunds are not issued in the following situations:

• After Peer Review: Once the peer review process begins, APCs are not refundable, as editorial resources have already been expended.
• Rejection: If a manuscript is rejected following peer review, APCs are not refunded.
• Author Withdrawal: If authors voluntarily withdraw their manuscript after peer review or acceptance, APCs are non-refundable.
• Misconduct: If rejection or withdrawal is due to plagiarism, data falsification, or ethical violations, no refund is provided.
• Delayed Publication: Minor delays in the publication schedule do not qualify for refunds, as all articles remain guaranteed for release.

Partial Refunds

In certain cases, a partial refund may be considered. For example:

• Administrative rejection prior to peer review: up to 70% refund.
• Withdrawal with editor approval before reviewer assignment: up to 50% refund.

These partial refunds reflect resources already invested in initial processing, plagiarism screening, and administrative checks.

Refund Request Procedure

1. Authors must submit a written request to the editorial office, including manuscript ID, payment details, and reason for the refund.
2. The editorial office reviews the request and verifies eligibility.
3. Approved refunds are processed within 4–6 weeks, using the same payment method employed originally.
4. Authors receive a formal confirmation of the refund decision.

Currency and Transaction Fees

Refunds are issued in the original currency of payment. Any transaction fees incurred by the author’s bank or payment provider are the responsibility of the author. The journal ensures that the refunded amount equals the original payment received, less any non-recoverable third-party fees.

Ethical Considerations

Refund requests made in bad faith, such as attempts to withdraw after acceptance to submit elsewhere, are rejected. Authors engaging in such practices may face sanctions, including bans on future submissions. Transparency and fairness guide all refund-related decisions to protect both authors and the integrity of the journal.

Alternative Resolutions

In some cases, the journal may offer alternative resolutions instead of monetary refunds, such as:

• Waivers or discounts on future APCs.
• Priority processing of resubmitted manuscripts.
• Editorial support for revisions.

These alternatives balance fairness with sustainability while maintaining author trust.

Transparency and Communication

The Refund Policy is communicated openly on the journal’s website and during the submission process. Authors are encouraged to review this policy prior to payment to avoid misunderstandings. Questions regarding APCs and refunds are addressed promptly by the editorial office to ensure clarity and accountability.

Conclusion

APCs support the open-access model that makes all research freely available to readers worldwide. While refunds are limited, they are offered in cases of genuine error or extraordinary circumstances. By defining this policy clearly, the Archives of Biotechnology and Biomedicine ensures fairness, transparency, and sustainability in managing publication finances.