Charges Policy
The Archives of Surgery and Clinical Research (ASCR; ISSN: 2576-9537) publishes all articles open access. We do not charge submission fees. An Article Processing Charge (APC) applies only to manuscripts accepted after peer review and covers editorial production, publication, and preservation services. This page explains our APC schedule, what the APC includes, waiver and discount pathways, invoicing, refunds and withdrawals, and frequently asked questions.
Overview & Principles
ASCR’s APC model sustains immediate open access for readers worldwide, without paywalls, and supports persistent availability of the version of record. We do not impose submission charges and we do not levy surcharges for pages, color figures, or supplementary files. Editorial decisions are made independently of payment ability; requests for waiver or discount do not influence peer review outcomes. If you require a waiver, please request it at submission and again when payment is requested after acceptance, so we can align timing with your funding or institutional processes.
Key points at a glance
- No fees to submit. APCs apply only if your manuscript is accepted.
- No hidden surcharges. We do not add fees for figures, color, or supplementary materials.
- Transparent waivers & discounts. Fee-relief pathways include need-based and country-based waivers and special-issue discounts.
- Open licensing. Articles are published under CC BY 4.0; authors retain copyright.
Current APC Schedule
The amounts below are the current standard rates unless a formal discount or waiver has been granted in writing by the journal office. Currency is US dollars (USD). Invoices reflect the rate communicated with the acceptance decision.
| Item | APC (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard research article (ASCR) | $2,949 | APC charged only after acceptance; no submission fee; no surcharges for color or supplementary items. |
| Special Issue article | $1,849 | Typical Special Issue APC. Specific calls may announce different rates; see the Special Issue guidelines/FAQ and your invitation letter. |
What the APC Covers
Included
- Editorial management and peer-review coordination (editor and reviewer handling)
- Similarity screening and integrity checks
- Professional copyediting and layout/typesetting
- Online publication (HTML/PDF) with persistent identifiers (DOIs)
- Indexing/discovery feeds and machine-readable metadata (schema.org/OAI-PMH)
- Long-term preservation and hosting
- Post-publication updates (corrections/retractions) and interlinking
Not included
- Extensive language rewriting beyond copyediting
- Creation of original illustrations or complex graphics
- Article translation services
- Reprints/print copies (see Paper Prints/Reprints policy)
- Third-party permissions fees for copyrighted materials
Waivers & Discounts
We offer fee relief to ensure equitable access to publication. Requests should be made at the time of submission and again at payment request after acceptance, including a short justification and, where applicable, relevant documentation (e.g., funding outcomes).
Pathways
- Country-based waivers: Authors based in World Bank low- and lower-middle-income economies may be eligible for partial or (in exceptional cases) full waiver.
- Need-based waivers: Up to 50% relief may be considered for authors with genuine financial constraints.
- Special issue discounts: Lead Guest Editors and Guest Editors may be eligible for fee waivers or percentage discounts per call; deserving authors may also be offered discounts.
- Legacy guideline note: Some author-facing pages mention typical discounts of ~15–20%; where multiple figures appear across legacy pages, the formal Waiver Policy and the APC page govern.
Waiver decisions are independent of editorial decisions. Inability to pay does not affect peer review outcomes.
Payment & Invoicing
- When billed: After acceptance and before publication. The acceptance email includes the invoice and payment instructions.
- Methods: Major cards and bank transfer. Payment details are provided securely by the editorial office.
- POs and institutional payments: We can reference purchase orders and include funder/project codes where required; inform us at acceptance.
- Receipts: Issued upon settlement; the corresponding author receives a PDF receipt suitable for institutional reimbursement.
- Taxes: APCs are quoted in USD. Local taxes or bank charges, if any, are borne by the payer.
Refunds, Withdrawals & Cancellations
If an accepted article must be withdrawn by the authors or the journal for reasons not attributable to author misconduct and before publication, please contact the editorial office promptly with your manuscript ID. For withdrawals initiated by authors during editorial stages, administrative fees may apply according to the Withdrawal Policy (which specifies stage-based charges). Once an article is published, APCs are not refundable except in cases of a journal error resulting in failure to publish the version of record.
Funder & Institutional Support
- Before submission: Check whether your grant allows APC use and note any caps. Ensure your institution’s finance office is aware of timelines for payment after acceptance.
- Manuscript metadata: Include funder names and grant numbers in your submission; these appear in article metadata and can aid compliance checks.
- Repository deposit: On publication, you may deposit the Version of Record (VoR) in repositories with the DOI and CC BY notice; this often fulfills funder access requirements.
Scenarios & Examples
Example: Author without APC funding
The corresponding author indicates at submission that no grant funds or institutional APC support are available. A need-based waiver is requested with a brief justification. After peer review and acceptance, the waiver request is revisited; a 50% waiver is granted and the invoice reflects the reduced APC. The article proceeds to production upon settlement.
Example: Special Issue invitation
An invited Special Issue submission states the Special Issue APC in the call and FAQ. The acceptance email reiterates the applicable Special Issue rate and any editor or author discounts. The invoice uses that rate and notes the Special Issue code for internal reconciliation.
Example: Withdrawal after peer review
Following major revision, the authors decide to withdraw due to overlapping submission elsewhere. The corresponding author notifies the editor with the manuscript ID. The Withdrawal Policy’s stage-based administrative fee applies and is invoiced accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you charge to submit a manuscript?
No. There are no submission fees. APCs apply only after acceptance.
Are there any hidden charges (pages, color, supplementary files)?
No. We do not levy surcharges for figures, color images, or supplementary files.
When is the APC due?
After acceptance and before publication. Payment instructions are sent with the acceptance decision.
Do you offer waivers or discounts?
Yes. Country-based and need-based waivers are available, and Special Issue calls may include editor/author discounts. Request a waiver at submission and when payment is requested.
What is the APC for a standard article?
$2,949 USD (standard ASCR APC). For Special Issues, see the relevant call/FAQ; a typical Special Issue APC is $1,849 USD unless otherwise stated.
Will inability to pay affect peer review?
No. Waiver requests are handled separately and do not influence editorial decisions.
How do withdrawals affect charges?
Stage-based administrative fees may apply if authors withdraw after editorial work has begun. Refer to the Withdrawal Policy for exact amounts by stage.
Contact
APC, waivers, and invoicing queries: [email protected] · Editorial/acceptance notices: [email protected]