Waiver Policy

Eligibility for Waivers

Authors may request a full or partial waiver of the Article Processing Charge (APC) if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Primary affiliation in countries classified as low-income or lower-middle-income by the World Bank.
• Lack of funding support from institutions, governments, or grants.
• Students or early-career researchers without established financial backing.
• Independent researchers unaffiliated with institutions that typically cover APCs.
• Authors contributing to special thematic issues where community funding is unavailable.

Types of Waivers

Depending on eligibility and demonstrated need, the following waiver types may apply:

• Full Waiver: 100% of the APC is covered by the journal.
• Partial Waiver: 25–75% of the APC is discounted, with authors responsible for the balance.
• Discounts: Time-limited or thematic discounts applied to groups of authors (e.g., conference participants or authors in special issues).

Application Process

Authors must request a waiver at the time of manuscript submission. Applications should include:

1. A formal waiver request during the submission process, with justification of financial need.
2. Affiliation and funding details, including evidence of inability to pay (if available).
3. Any supporting documentation such as a student ID, funding rejection letter, or institutional statement.

Requests made after acceptance may not be considered, as waivers are intended to ensure that the editorial process remains impartial and independent from financial considerations.

Fairness and Independence

Editorial decisions at APCR are based entirely on scientific merit, originality, and relevance to the field. Waiver requests are handled separately from the editorial review process, ensuring that peer review is blind to authors’ financial circumstances. Reviewers and editors are not informed of waiver applications.

Special Cases and Exceptions

• Invited Content: Editorials, commentaries, or invited reviews may be exempt from APCs at the discretion of the editorial board.
• Collaborative Research: For multi-country studies, waivers may be applied proportionally to reflect the distribution of author affiliations.
• Early-Career Support: Dedicated programs may occasionally provide targeted fee relief for first-time authors or PhD candidates.

Transparency of the Waiver Process

APCR is committed to transparency in its waiver process. Authors are informed of the outcome of their waiver request promptly, and clear communication is provided about the level of support offered. Waiver statistics may be reported periodically to demonstrate our commitment to equity and openness.

How Waivers Are Funded

Waivers are funded by reinvesting a portion of APC revenue, by support from sponsoring organizations, and through cross-subsidization across the publishing program. This model ensures sustainability while maintaining inclusivity.

Author Responsibilities

Even when a waiver is granted, authors must still meet all journal submission requirements, including adherence to ethical standards, formatting guidelines, and reporting criteria. The waiver applies only to financial charges and does not alter scientific or editorial expectations.