visibility Our Transparency Commitment
We believe that authors should have a clear, uncomplicated understanding of publishing costs. Researchium operates under transparent pricing models, ensuring zero unexpected fees:
What You Pay For
Complete breakdown of editorial screenings, peer review coordination, copyediting, indexing, and digital archiving.
When You Pay
Invoices are issued only after manuscripts undergo complete peer review and receive formal acceptance notices.
Why Charges Exist
Open access publishing removes reader subscription fees. Processing charges cover professional operations to keep articles freely available to everyone globally.
table_view Publication Cost Overview
Our Article Processing Charges (APCs) fund professional publishing operations to maintain scholarly quality. The APC covers:
Editorial Processing
Initial screening check, scope verification, and technical checklist checks.
Peer Review Administration
Assigning independent subject experts, compiling reports, and editorial board reviews.
Production Services
Copyediting, professional typesetting, and figure formatting to meet scholarly indexes.
PDF & HTML Publishing
Creating responsive HTML layouts, JATS XML outputs, and print-ready PDF files.
Metadata & DOI Services
Registering stable Crossref DOIs and metadata exchange across libraries.
Digital Preservation
Depositing published research in CLOCKSS/LOCKSS digital registries for permanent archiving.
schedule When Fees Apply
Charges are never requested during screening or peer evaluation. Billing occurs following this timeline:
query_stats What APC Supports
APC revenue is directly reinvested in operations to maintain publishing infrastructure and standards:
Editorial Operations
Salaries for managing editors and office support teams handling peer coordination.
Publishing Infrastructure
Hosting servers, databases, security logs, and online submission systems.
DOI Registry Services
Crossref metadata deposition and citation tracking updates.
Archiving Programs
Supporting digital preservation indexes (CLOCKSS/LOCKSS) to ensure research availability.
card_giftcard Waiver & Discount Policy
Researchium is committed to supporting researchers with limited funding. We offer automatic waivers and discounts based on Hinari country classifications:
Developing Countries (100% Waiver)
Automatic waivers apply to corresponding authors based in Hinari Group A countries.
Developing Countries (50% Discount)
Automatic 50% discounts apply to corresponding authors based in Hinari Group B countries.
Students & Early Career Researchers
Waiver applications can be submitted during manuscript submission, supported by institutional letters.
Special Programs
Discounts are available for specific journal series or institutional memberships.
assignment_return Refund Policy
Once an article is accepted, formatted, and published online, the APC is non-refundable. Processing costs have been incurred at that stage. If retraction occurs due to verified author misconduct (plagiarism or fabrication) after publication, the fee is not refunded.
payments 操作 Payment Process Workflow
Billing and invoicing follow a secure, transparent workflow:
Acceptance
The Editor-in-Chief issues the formal acceptance notice after review.
Invoice
The billing office issues the invoice, detailing waiver or discount parameters.
Payment
Authors complete payment via bank wire transfer or secure online payment portals.
Confirmation
The billing office confirms receipt and links details to the manuscript record.
Publication
The manuscript enters typesetting and is published online (open access).
help_center Frequently Asked Questions
Browse frequently asked questions regarding Article Processing Charges, billing, payment methods, and waiver options.
When do I pay the Article Processing Charge?
Authors only pay the APC after the manuscript undergoes complete peer review and is formally accepted for publication. No submission or review fees apply.
Are there hidden publication fees?
No. Researchium enforces a strict no hidden fees policy. There are no charges for color figures, page count lengths, or supplementary files.
Can I request a waiver?
Yes. Automatic 100% waivers apply to corresponding authors based in Hinari Group A countries, and 50% discounts apply to Group B countries. Students and researchers with limited funding can apply for waivers during submission.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept bank wire transfers, major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), and secure online payment portals. Complete details are listed on invoices.
Does reviewing or submitting manuscripts cost money?
No. Reviewing and screening are completely free. Fees only apply to accepted papers entering production.
Can I pay the publication fee in installments?
No, fees must be completed in full before typesetting and online publication. Installment payment plans are currently not supported.
Are fees refunded if a paper is retracted after publication?
No. Once published, production resources have been spent. If retraction occurs due to confirmed author misconduct (plagiarism or data fabrication), fees are not refunded.
Are waivers reviewed independently of editorial decisions?
Yes. Editorial decisions are made autonomously based on scientific merit and peer evaluation. The billing office handles waiver approvals independently.
Why does open access publishing require fees?
Open access eliminates reader subscription limits. APCs cover the costs of copyediting, typesetting, DOI registration, servers, and digital archiving.
Who pays the publication fee?
The fee is typically funded by the authors' sponsoring university, institution, or research grants. Authors should confirm funding source parameters before submitting.
Do co-authors share the billing invoice?
Invoices are issued to the corresponding author, who coordinates fee division and payment among co-authors.
What if my institution has a discount agreement with Researchium?
During submission, corresponding authors from member institutions select their affiliation to receive automatic institutional discounts.
Can I submit a waiver request after acceptance?
No. Waiver requests must be submitted during manuscript submission. Requests received after acceptance are not evaluated.
Does Researchium charge for supplementary material uploads?
No. Supplementary files, datasets, and video attachments are hosted free of charge to promote open science.
How do DOIs and metadata preservation affect fees?
These permanent indexing and archiving services are funded by the APC, ensuring research is discoverable indefinitely.
What happens if I cannot complete payment after acceptance?
Typesetting and publication are paused. Unpaid accepted articles are placed in a holding queue until billing is confirmed.
Do reviewers receive payments from APC revenue?
No. Under international academic standards, reviewers operate voluntarily. APC funds cover professional office administration and copyediting services.
Is the APC different for different journals in the network?
Yes, charges vary slightly depending on the specific field indexation and editing demands. Specific rates are listed on each journal homepage.
Can I get a pro-forma invoice?
Yes. Contact the billing office if your sponsoring institution requires a pro-forma invoice to allocate funding.
Who do I contact regarding billing discrepancies?
Submit billing questions to our finance team at finance@researchium.org, citing your invoice number.
Transparent Publishing Practices
Researchium is committed to fair, transparent and responsible publication practices.