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Are there legitimate ways to get an APC waiver or discount?

I'm from a low-income country and can't afford the APC. Do all journals offer waivers? How do I request one, and what evidence do I need to provide?

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By Natasha Answered 1 month ago

Yes, many reputable publishers have automatic waiver programs for authors based in countries classified as low-income by the World Bank or Research4Life. Journals from publishers like PLOS, BMC (Springer Nature), and Hindawi have clear policies. The process is usually straightforward: during submission, you select your country and institution; if eligible, the fee is automatically waived or reduced. For cases of financial hardship not based on geography, you may need to write a brief email to the journal editor explaining your situation. Always check the journal's "Fees and Funding" page before submitting. Be wary of journals that only offer waivers—this can be a sign of a predatory publisher. Legitimate waivers are designed to promote equity, not to attract submissions without proper review.

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