APCs, waivers & funding

1 Overview & scope

Why we charge APCs and which journals this policy covers.

IUMS medical journals are primarily open access: accepted articles are freely available online for readers worldwide immediately upon publication. To sustain high-quality editorial and publishing services without subscription barriers, most journals charge an Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted research and certain other article types.

This policy applies to all journals hosted on the IUMS platform that charge APCs, unless a specific journal clearly states a different arrangement in its own author guidelines. Journal-specific information (exact APC amounts, currencies and any local variations) is always shown on the journal home page or “Instructions for authors”.

This page focuses on APCs, waivers and funding. For copyright, licensing and reuse conditions, please refer to our separate Copyright, open access & reuse policy.

2 Core principles

Our APC policies follow international best practice and transparency standards for scholarly publishing.

In line with guidance from COPE, DOAJ, OASPA, WAME and open access initiatives, our APC, waiver and funding policies are built on the following principles:

• Transparency – APC amounts, what they cover and any waivers or discounts are communicated clearly on the journal website.
• Editorial independence – decisions to accept or reject submissions are completely independent of authors’ ability to pay APCs or eligibility for waivers.
• Fair and globally aware pricing – APCs are intended to reflect the costs of the publishing services provided, and waiver/ discount schemes take into account different economic contexts in line with widely used indicators (for example, World Bank income classifications).
• No hidden charges – any fees are declared in advance; authors are never surprised by unexpected or post-acceptance charges.
• Support for compliance – APC and licensing options are designed to help authors meet funder and institutional open access requirements wherever possible.

3 APC structure & timing

When APCs apply, which version they cover, and how charges are displayed.

Each journal sets a standard APC (or a set of APCs for different article types) that is:

• displayed on the journal website in the “APCs” or “Fees” section;
• quoted in a specific currency (for example, USD or EUR), with any relevant taxes or VAT applied according to local law; and
• linked to the Version of Record (VoR) published on the IUMS platform.

APCs are only payable if your article is accepted after peer review. We do not charge submission fees or review fees for standard research articles.

Once a manuscript is accepted, the corresponding author receives an APC quotation or invoice that reflects:

• the base APC for the article type and journal;
• any automatic waivers or discounts (for example, based on country income classification); and
• any approved additional waivers or discounts agreed after an application.

The peer review process and editorial decisions are completely independent of APC discussions. Waiver requests can be considered in parallel without affecting the outcome of peer review.

4 What APCs cover

Services and infrastructure supported by article processing charges.

APCs are used to support the full publishing workflow for open access content. This includes, but is not limited to:

• manuscript submission systems and editorial office management;
• coordination of peer review and communications with reviewers and authors;
• professional copy-editing, layout, typesetting and figure handling;
• XML and metadata creation to support indexing and discoverability;
• online hosting, article display and permanent DOI assignment;
• participation in long-term digital preservation and archiving programmes; and
• platform development, user support and quality assurance.

APCs do not purchase acceptance. Editorial quality, scientific rigour and compliance with journal policies are the only criteria for publication decisions.

5 Fees we do not charge

Clarifying costs that authors do not need to worry about.

To avoid confusion and to distinguish IUMS journals from predatory practices, we explicitly state that we do not charge:

• submission fees for standard research articles;
• extra “fast-track” or “priority review” fees for editorial decisions;
• fees for withdrawing a manuscript before acceptance; or
• undisclosed page, colour or figure charges beyond the APC, unless clearly stated for a specific journal or special issue.

If any additional fees apply for a particular journal (for example, optional print charges or extensive colour pages in a print edition), these will be explained transparently in that journal’s author guidelines.

6 Waivers & discounts

How we support authors with limited access to funding.

IUMS is committed to ensuring that APCs do not become a barrier for authors with limited financial resources, particularly those from low- and lower-middle-income settings. Our waiver and discount framework is built around:

• Country-based support – authors whose primary affiliation is in countries classified as low income by recognised international sources (for example, World Bank income groups) may be eligible for a full APC waiver in eligible journals.
• Partial discounts – corresponding authors based in lower-middle-income countries or in institutions with constrained funding may qualify for a partial APC discount.
• Discretionary waivers – for authors who do not meet the standard criteria but can demonstrate financial hardship or lack of funding, editors may request case-by-case waivers or additional discounts.

Eligibility criteria and the most up-to-date country lists are explained in the “APCs, waivers & funding” section of each journal website. As a general rule:

• waivers and discounts apply to the APC only (not to external services such as translation or language editing);
• authors are encouraged to explore institutional or funder support first; and
• the corresponding author must disclose any available publication funds during submission or when prompted.

Waiver requests are handled confidentially and assessed independently from peer review. The outcome of peer review does not depend on whether a waiver or discount is granted.

7 Funder, institutional & national support

Using external support to cover APCs and comply with open access mandates.

Many research funders, universities, hospitals and national consortia provide dedicated budgets or agreements to support APCs in reputable open access journals. Authors are strongly encouraged to:

• check relevant funder policies (for example, Plan S-aligned requirements) to identify preferred licences and eligible journals;
• contact their institution’s library or research office to see whether central funds, APC vouchers or national agreements are available; and
• indicate any grant numbers or funding sources accurately at submission to support reporting and compliance.

Where a journal is covered by a national open access agreement or institutional arrangement, the APC may be paid in full or in part by that agreement rather than by the individual author. Details of such arrangements, if applicable, will be listed on journal or institutional pages.

8 APC workflow, invoices & payment

What authors can expect once a manuscript is accepted.

For journals that charge APCs, the typical workflow is:

1. Peer review and decision – the manuscript undergoes peer review. Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific quality, originality and adherence to journal policies.
2. APC calculation – if the article is accepted, the journal calculates the applicable APC, taking into account:
   • the standard APC for that article type;
   • any automatic country-based waiver or discount; and
   • any additional approved waivers or discounts.
3. Invoice & payment options – the corresponding author or designated payer receives an invoice with instructions for bank transfer, online payment or institutional payment, including any relevant tax details.
4. Production & publication – once payment arrangements are confirmed, the article proceeds through production and is published open access on the journal platform.

APCs can be paid by the author, co-authors, their institution or funder, or another authorised third party. The journal may set reasonable deadlines for confirming payment or funding arrangements, but will work with authors to accommodate institutional processes where possible.

If payment or funding cannot ultimately be secured and no waiver or discount is available, the editorial office will discuss options with the authors. Articles are not retroactively withdrawn solely for administrative payment delays if a good-faith effort is underway.

9 Article types & APCs

How different article categories are treated for APC purposes.

APC policies may vary by article type within a journal. Unless a journal states otherwise, the following general approach applies:

• Original research articles, systematic reviews and study protocols – usually subject to the standard APC.
• Short communications, brief reports and case reports – may have a reduced APC in some journals.
• Editorials, invited commentaries, guidelines and corrections – typically no APC is charged when commissioned or initiated by the journal.
• Supplements or sponsored collections – APCs and funding arrangements are often agreed at the level of the supplement or sponsor contract and are described in the supplement’s front matter alongside declarations of funding and editorial independence.

The specific rules for each journal, including any fee exemptions for particular article types, can be found in that journal’s author guidelines or APC information page.

10 At-a-glance APC & waiver matrix

Summary only – always check the journal’s own APC page for exact values and any local variations.

11 Contact & APC queries

How to get help with APCs, waivers or funding questions.

Authors, funders, institutions or librarians who have questions about APCs, waivers, discounts or funding arrangements for IUMS journals are encouraged to contact:

• General APC & waiver queries: journals@iums.ac.ir

Policy version: v1.0 – last updated April 2025. APC levels, waiver criteria and funding mechanisms may evolve over time; any significant changes will be reflected on this page and on the individual journal APC information pages.