What Is an Article Processing Charge?

An article processing charge (APC) is a fee that some open-access and hybrid journals charge, usually to the authors, their institution or their funder, to cover the costs of editorial management, production and making the article freely available. Not all journals charge one.

What an APC may cover

• Handling, peer-review administration and editorial work.
• Copyediting, typesetting and production.
• Hosting, DOI registration, archiving and indexing.
• Making the article open access under a licence.

Who pays

Authors, their institutions (sometimes through agreements with publishers), or funders. Some journals offer waivers or discounts, for example for authors from low-income countries or for specific article types; check the journal's policy before submitting.

When is it charged?

Most journals charge after acceptance, not at submission. A charge at submission, or an unclear fee schedule, is a reason for caution.

How to avoid surprises

1. Find the APC and waiver policy on the journal's website before submitting.
2. Check whether your institution or funder has an agreement that covers it.
3. Ask when and how the fee will be requested.
4. Confirm the licence you will be asked to use.
5. Check that the journal is reputable (DOAJ listing, indexing, Think. Check. Submit.).
6. Never pay for guaranteed acceptance.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. A student's accepted paper in a hybrid journal carries an APC. Her institution has an agreement with the publisher that covers the fee, but only if she selects the institution on the submission form. She checks with the library before accepting the invoice.

Common pitfalls

• Paying a "publication fee" before peer review.
• Assuming that a high APC means high quality, or that no APC means low quality.

Key takeaways

• APCs fund open access; they are charged to authors, institutions or funders.
• Check policies, waivers and timing before you submit.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.