OPEN-ACCESS PUBLISHING COSTS
Editorial assessment and payment are separate
Article processing charges (APCs), where applicable, are handled through the AHFE Discoveries submission workflow at the Publication Processing Fee stage. Authors can review the fee information presented there for their manuscript.
How article processing charges work
An article processing charge (APC) is a publishing fee that may apply when a manuscript is accepted for open-access publication. It is distinct from a conference registration fee and is not a fee for a favorable editorial decision. The scholarly evaluation of a manuscript must be based on research quality, integrity and relevance, regardless of the authors’ funding arrangements.
When charges are communicated
Before committing to publication, authors should review the applicable AHFE Discoveries charges, currency, payment terms and any taxes or administrative conditions communicated by the journal. Article processing charges (APCs), where applicable, are handled through the AHFE Discoveries submission workflow at the Publication Processing Fee stage. Authors should follow the fee information presented there for their manuscript and contact the journal office if any payment details require clarification.
From editorial acceptance to publication
Submission and technical screening come first. Editors then determine whether a manuscript proceeds to independent peer review. Authors may be asked to revise and respond to reviewers. Only after the relevant editorial acceptance and publishing requirements are met should the journal confirm the applicable publication charge and any payment instructions. Payment does not replace scientific assessment or production checks.
What publishing charges may support
Open-access publishing requires editorial administration, manuscript handling, reviewer coordination, integrity and metadata checks, production editing, formatting, online hosting and long-term publication operations. The precise services, licence terms and cost allocation that apply to AHFE Discoveries are stated by the journal, and the journal’s own confirmation is the authoritative source for them.
Institutional funding and payment arrangements
Research grants, universities and institutional open-access funds may be able to support APCs. Authors should confirm funding eligibility with their institution and identify the correct payer, billing contact and invoicing requirements. No automatic AHFE Discoveries institutional discount, consortium arrangement or waiver is implied unless the journal expressly confirms one.
Waivers, adjustments and enquiries
Researchers who need clarification about fees, possible financial assistance or payment timing should contact the journal office before making a financial commitment. Requests concerning payment should be handled separately from the assessment of the manuscript; editors and reviewers should not use an author’s capacity to pay when forming a scientific recommendation.
What an APC does not guarantee
A payment does not guarantee acceptance, a particular review outcome, indexing in any database, a citation count or publication within a fixed number of days. Scientific acceptance, publication permissions, production readiness and accurate metadata remain separate requirements.
Use your manuscript ID when contacting the journal office. The secure AHFE Discoveries submission platform remains the authoritative record for your manuscript's current status and required actions.
Open manuscript workspace → Contact the journal office →