Article processing charges are one of the more practically important — and sometimes least understood — parts of the publishing process, particularly for authors without access to dedicated research funding. Understanding what these charges actually cover, and how waiver programs typically work, helps you plan realistically before you submit.
What an APC Actually Covers
An article processing charge is a fee, typically paid upon acceptance rather than at submission, that covers the costs of peer review coordination, editorial handling, copyediting, typesetting, digital hosting, and indexing infrastructure. In open-access models, this fee substitutes for the reader-side subscription revenue that funds traditional journals.
When APCs Apply — and When They Don’t
Subscription-based journals typically don’t charge authors an APC at all, since costs are covered through institutional subscriptions. Open-access journals generally do charge an APC, since there’s no subscription revenue to cover editorial and production costs. Hybrid journals may charge an APC only if the author specifically opts into open-access publication for their article.
Fee Waivers and Reduced Rates
Many journals — including many open-access economics and management outlets — offer full or partial fee waivers for authors facing genuine financial hardship, often based on the author’s country of residence (using World Bank income classifications) or institutional funding status. These policies exist specifically to prevent APCs from becoming a barrier to publishing legitimate, high-quality research.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Submit
- What is the exact APC amount, and at what stage in the process is it due?
- Does the journal offer a fee waiver or discount program, and what are the eligibility criteria?
- Are there additional charges beyond the base APC (for color figures, extra pages, or expedited processing)?
- Does your institution or funder have an arrangement that covers or subsidizes APCs for its researchers?
For the current fee structure and any waiver information specific to this journal, the Journal of Economics and Management’s paper submission page is the most accurate and up-to-date source — reach out to the editorial team directly with specific eligibility questions before submitting.
Watch for Predatory Fee Practices
Not every APC-charging journal operates in good faith. Warning signs of predatory practices include APCs that seem disconnected from any real editorial or production value, aggressive solicitation emails, and a lack of transparency about fees until after a paper has already been accepted. Verifying a journal’s legitimacy before submitting — including confirming its editorial board, indexing status, and fee transparency — protects both your research and your budget.
Planning Ahead
If you know in advance that a target journal charges an APC, factor this into your research funding applications early, since many grant budgets explicitly allow for publication costs if requested at the proposal stage rather than after the fact.
For a widely used tool to verify a journal’s legitimacy, including its fee practices, before submitting, Think. Check. Submit. offers a straightforward checklist applicable across disciplines.
Have questions about fees or waivers for a specific manuscript? Review the journal’s scope and find current submission details on the paper submission page.