Article Processing Charges

1. APC Structure

Fees vary by research category and article type. All prices are in USD and represent a one-time fee covering all publication activities from peer review to long-term preservation.

“The APC is charged only after acceptance, ensuring that the peer-review outcome remains unbiased.”

2. Services Covered by the APC

• Double-blind peer-review management and editorial oversight.
• Professional copy-editing and layout design.
• CrossRef DOI registration and metadata submission.
• XML conversion (JATS format) for indexing and repositories.
• Permanent hosting on ABSE servers and in Portico/LOCKSS archives.
• 24/7 website availability, secure back-ups, and technical maintenance.
• Inclusion in major indexing services and search databases.

3. Payment Procedure

After acceptance, authors receive an official invoice via e-mail from the publisher’s finance department. Payment methods include:

• International bank transfer (preferred for institutions and funders).
• Credit/debit card through secure gateway (PayPal or Stripe).
• Institutional purchase orders or funder payment agreements.

All transactions are acknowledged with a receipt issued by Heighten Science Publications Inc.

4. Waivers and Discounts

ABSE supports equitable publishing by offering waivers or discounts to authors from low-income countries or those with financial constraints. Applicants may request a waiver at the time of submission by contacting [email protected]. Detailed criteria are outlined in the Waiver Policy.

5. Refund Policy

Refunds may be considered in rare circumstances such as technical errors or duplicate payments. Please consult the Refund Policy for eligibility and process details. Requests must be submitted to [email protected] within 30 days of payment.

6. Currency and Taxes

All fees are quoted in USD. Any applicable bank charges or currency conversion fees are the responsibility of the payer. Invoices include all necessary details for institutional finance departments to process international payments smoothly.

7. Publication Fee Transparency

ABSE does not levy hidden costs, submission charges, or page fees. The APC is a single, comprehensive fee payable only after peer review acceptance. Editorial decisions are based solely on scientific merit and relevance to the journal’s scope.

8. Institutional and Funder Agreements

Many universities and funding bodies support open-access APCs for authors. ABSE accepts direct payment from institutions and complies with policies of major funders, including:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH, USA)
• European Research Council (ERC)
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
• Plan S / cOAlition S Open Access Framework

9. Fee Waivers for Special Content

• Invited editorials and commentaries — 100 % waiver.
• Special issue contributions — discounts determined by guest editors.
• Early-career researchers or students — partial waiver upon request.

10. Cost Breakdown for Transparency

11. Ethical Independence of Editorial Process

Editorial decisions are not influenced by APC payment status. Manuscripts are accepted or rejected based on scientific quality alone. This principle aligns with the COPE Code of Conduct for Journal Editors and the DOAJ Transparency Framework.

12. How to Request a Proforma Invoice

Authors may request a proforma invoice before payment to facilitate institutional clearance. E-mail the request with the accepted manuscript ID and billing details to [email protected].

13. Proof of Payment

Once payment is completed, send the transaction confirmation or bank slip to the finance office. Payment is confirmed within 3–5 business days and the manuscript moves to production immediately after verification.

14. Financial Accountability and Audit

Heighten Science Publications Inc. maintains complete records of all APC transactions for auditing and compliance purposes. Annual financial summaries may be shared with indexing bodies or funders upon request to demonstrate transparency in cost distribution.

15. Currency Conversion and Regional Support

Authors paying from outside the United States may request currency conversion assistance or regional support through partner organizations in Europe or Asia. Converted amounts are based on real-time exchange rates at the day of invoice generation.

16. Confidentiality and Data Security

All payment details and author information are handled confidentially in accordance with the journal’s Privacy Statement and the GDPR framework. No financial data are stored on the journal server beyond receipt records.

17. Annual Review of Charges

APC rates are evaluated annually to maintain affordability and reflect operational costs. Any changes take effect January 1 each year and are announced on the website at least 30 days in advance.

18. Contact Information

• Finance Department: [email protected]
• Waiver Requests: [email protected]
• Editorial Office: Annals of Biomedical Science and Engineering (ABSE), USA