Article Processing Charge (APC)

Operating under a Gold Open Access model, this journal ensures immediate, unrestricted global access to all published scholarship. To sustain high-quality editorial workflows and permanent digital archiving, a publication fee applies exclusively after a manuscript successfully passes double-blind peer review and receives formal acceptance. An optional fast-track service is available for authors who need a prioritized editorial and production timeline.

Publication Fee Structure

The APC is a flat rate. It does not change based on manuscript page count, number of co-authors, or color figures. Fast-track affects only the speed of editorial handling and production. It does not influence the review outcome or guarantee acceptance. The printed copy fee is a minimum amount and is adjusted proportionally to the total number of pages per edition. Ordering a printed copy is entirely optional and does not affect the free, immediate online availability of the published article.

What Your APC Pays For

The Article Processing Charge directly supports the editorial operational infrastructure, ensuring long-term publication sustainability and quality standards:

• Review Management: Automated similarity screening, editorial desk evaluation, and coordination of double-blind peer review.
• Production & Typesetting: Professional copyediting, XML/PDF galley layout typesetting, and proofreading.
• Persistent Identification: Unique Crossref Digital Object Identifier (DOI) registration for every published article.
• Global Access & Preservation: Permanent online hosting, indexing metadata harvesting, and long-term digital preservation.

How Payment Works

1. 1
   Acceptance Decision

   The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision based strictly on scientific merit and peer-review recommendations, issuing a Letter of Acceptance (LoA).

2. 2
   Invoice Issuance

   The corresponding author receives the official APC payment invoice (standard or fast-track, as selected) and bank transfer instructions via email and the OJS submission dashboard.

3. 3
   Payment & Proof Submission

   Payment should be completed via official bank transfer within 10 business days, and the proof of transfer uploaded to the portal or emailed to the secretariat.

4. 4
   Production & Publication

   Once payment is verified, the accepted manuscript proceeds directly to copyediting, layout typesetting, DOI assignment, and online publishing. Fast-track manuscripts are prioritized in the production queue.

Refund Policy

Because editorial production and typesetting work begin immediately upon acceptance, paid Article Processing Charges and fast-track fees are non-refundable, including cases where the author requests manuscript withdrawal after formal acceptance. The only exception is a verified administrative error, such as a duplicate payment transaction.

Fee Waivers & Hardship Assistance

Authors from low-income countries or other eligible authors may apply for a partial or full waiver. Waiver requests must be submitted before the article is accepted for publication, through the Contact Us page of this journal.