Eligibility Criteria

• Automatic Waivers: Authors from low-income countries (as defined by the World Bank) receive a 100% APC waiver. 
• Partial Waivers: Authors from lower-middle-income countries are entitled to a 50% reduction in APC. 
• Discretionary Waivers: Granted upon request for authors demonstrating genuine financial hardship or lack of funding support. 
• Institutional Membership Discounts: Authors affiliated with partner institutions receive negotiated reductions.

How to Apply

1. Indicate waiver request at the time of submission.
2. Provide institutional affiliation and supporting details (funding status, justification for discretionary waiver).
3. Our editorial office verifies eligibility before acceptance invoice is generated. 
4. Approved waivers/discounts are applied automatically to the final invoice. 

Editorial Independence

All waiver requests are considered independently of editorial decision-making. The acceptance or rejection of a manuscript is based solely on scientific quality, relevance, and ethical compliance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do waivers affect peer review?

No. Reviewers and editors are blinded to fee-waiver status. Editorial decisions are made independently. 

What if my waiver request is denied?

You will be notified with a rationale. You may still proceed with submission by agreeing to pay the standard APC if accepted. 

Are consortium discounts available?

Yes. Authors from institutions with membership agreements enjoy pre-arranged discounts. Contact [email protected] for details. 

Waiver Requests & Support

Submit waiver requests during the submission process or direct queries to [email protected]. For institutional agreements, contact [email protected]. 

Policy Summary (At-a-Glance)