1. Policy summary (short)

Globenix Publisher operates an open access publishing model. Where applicable, Article Processing Charges (APCs) are used to cover costs of peer review management, editorial administration, production (typesetting, copyediting, XML/metadata), online hosting, DOI registration, indexing support, and long-term archiving. APCs are charged only after a manuscript is accepted for publication and do not influence editorial decisions. Waivers and discounts are available to ensure inclusive access for authors without funding.

Key principles: transparency, affordability, editorial independence, and fairness.

2. APC disclosure & transparency

• Each journal under Globenix Publisher will publish its exact APC amount on the journal homepage and on the acceptance letter.
• APCs may be expressed in one or more currencies (e.g., INR and USD) and will include clear details of what the fee covers and any taxes or processing fees.
• APC levels may vary by journal, article type (e.g., full research article vs. short communication), or special issue — and will be publicly displayed.
• APCs will never be requested before peer review is complete or as a condition of submission.

3. What APCs cover

APCs pay for:

• Editorial administration and manuscript processing.
• Independent peer review coordination (editorial office services).
• Copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading.
• DOI registration and high-quality metadata preparation for indexing.
• Online hosting, platform maintenance, and article-level archiving.
• Production of XML and other formats required by indexing services.
• Outreach and discoverability (abstracting/ indexing support).

APCs do not affect editorial decisions or reviewer selection.

4. Timing & invoicing

• APCs are invoiced after the Editorial Office issues an acceptance letter.
• Authors will receive a formal invoice containing: journal title, article title, authors, APC amount, currency, invoice number, due date, payment instructions, and waiver/discount status if any.
• Payment must be completed prior to final publication (i.e., before copyediting/production in certain workflows) unless alternative arrangements are agreed in writing.
• Accepted payment methods, invoicing currency, and bank details are shown on the invoice. International payment instructions (including wire / SWIFT details and payment reference instructions) will be provided. Any bank charges or currency conversion fees are the payer’s responsibility unless otherwise agreed.

5. APC amounts & changes

• APC amounts are set by the Publisher and published on each journal’s page.
• Any change to APCs will be published at least 30 days before it takes effect and will not be applied retroactively to manuscripts already invoiced.
• Discounts for institutional agreements, special issues, or sponsored collections may be offered and will be explicitly documented.

6. No-APC / Waiver-first options (if applicable)

• Where a journal is fully funded or operates without APCs (diamond/platinum open access), the journal page will state “No APC.”
• For journals that charge APCs, a comprehensive waiver & discount policy (below) exists to support authors without funding.

7. Waiver & discount policy — principles

Globenix Publisher’s waiver policy is designed to support equitable participation in open access publishing. Waivers are assessed fairly, confidentially, and separately from editorial evaluation. Decisions about waivers are made by the Publisher’s Finance & Waiver Committee (or delegated administrative staff) and are independent of editors and reviewers.

Core waiver principles:

• Support authors from low- and lower-middle-income economies.
• Support unfunded early-career researchers, independent scholars, and researchers from under-resourced institutions.
• Avoid conflicts of interest and preserve editorial independence.
• Provide a simple, verifiable, and timely application process.

8. Who is eligible for full or partial waivers

The following (non-exhaustive) categories are eligible for consideration:

Automatic / Presumptive full waiver (examples):

• Corresponding authors based in countries classified as Low Income by the World Bank (or other widely used lists) — automatic full waiver when verified.
• Authors demonstrably from institutions or countries with no available APC funding and who declare no funding for publication.

Partial waivers / discounts (examples):

• Corresponding authors from Lower-Middle Income countries may be eligible for a partial waiver (percentage discount).
• Early Career Researchers (ECRs) or students with no grant support — partial waiver on a case-by-case basis.
• Independent scholars, unaffiliated researchers, or authors from NGOs/small institutions with limited funds — partial waiver on application.
• Authors recommended by the Editor for special circumstances (e.g., invited articles, conference-sponsored collections) — discount agreed in advance.

Other waiver routes:

• Institutional membership or transformative agreements negotiated with the Publisher (institution or funder pays APCs per agreement).
• Promotional waivers for special calls or inaugural issues (clearly announced).

Note: The Publisher will maintain an updated waiver eligibility list and guidance on the journal page. If you believe you qualify for an automatic waiver but do not see it listed, apply and provide supporting documentation.

9. How to apply for a waiver or discount

1. Complete the Waiver Application Form (sample below) during submission or within 7 days of acceptance.
2. Provide required documentation (e.g., institutional letter, proof of unfunded status, student ID).
3. The Waiver Committee will acknowledge receipt within 5 business days and aim to reach a decision within 10–14 business days.
4. If a waiver is granted, the invoice will be adjusted and the acceptance-to-publication workflow will proceed.
5. If partial or no waiver is granted, authors may request an extension to arrange payment or inquire about alternative funding resources.

Important: Waiver decisions are confidential and made separately from peer review and editorial decision-making.

10. Documentation & verification

Applicants for waivers may be asked to provide one or more of the following:

• A statement from the corresponding author’s institution confirming lack of APC funding.
• Proof of student status (student ID or letter).
• Evidence of lack of research funding (grant award letters or absence declaration).
• Institutional membership confirmation (if applying for discounted APC under an agreement).

Falsified documentation will be treated as a breach of ethics and may lead to rejection or retraction if discovered post-publication.

11. Refunds, cancellations & corrections

• If a manuscript is withdrawn before production after the APC has been paid, a refund may be considered less any administrative fees; refund decisions are made case-by-case.
• If an article is rejected after payment through error (rare), a full refund will be issued.
• If an author requests withdrawal after production has begun (e.g., copyediting), refunds will be pro-rated and subject to administrative fees. All refund conditions will be published on the invoice and payment terms.

12. Discounts & institutional agreements

• Globenix Publisher welcomes institutional arrangements (institutional memberships, transformative agreements, sponsorships) that cover APCs for affiliated authors. Details of such agreements will be published and honored at the time of submission/acceptance.
• Discount codes for conference partnerships or sponsored special issues will be issued in writing and must be used before invoicing.

13. Exemptions & editorial content

• No APC will be charged for editorial content such as editorials, corrections, retractions, book reviews, and news items unless explicitly stated.
• Invited content (e.g., commissioned reviews) may receive full or partial APC waivers at the Publisher’s discretion.

14. Protection of editorial independence

• Waiver approvals or denials are administered by the Finance & Waiver Committee (publisher/admin staff) and are not communicated to editors and reviewers during the decision process. Editors must make decisions based solely on scholarly merit.

15. Record-keeping & reporting

• The Publisher will keep records of APCs, waivers, discounts, and related documentation for internal audits and for indexing purposes.
• Globenix Publisher will publish summary APC and waiver statistics annually (e.g., number of APCs charged, number of waivers granted) to support transparency and indexing readiness.

16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When will I be charged the APC?
A: Only after formal acceptance. An invoice will be issued with payment instructions.

Q: I cannot pay the APC. What should I do?
A: Apply for a waiver using the Waiver Application Form. Provide evidence of unfunded status or eligibility.

Q: Does a waiver affect editorial decisions?
A: No. Waivers are decided independently of editors and peer reviewers.

Q: Are APCs refundable?
A: Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis and depend on the stage of production.

17. Sample Waiver Application Form (copy & paste)

Globenix Publisher — APC Waiver Application Form

Manuscript title: ______________________________________

Journal: _______________________________________________

Manuscript ID (if known): _______________________________

Corresponding author: Name: ____________________________  Email: ______________________

Reason for waiver request (tick one or more):

[ ] Corresponding author based in Low Income country (World Bank classification)

[ ] Corresponding author based in Lower-Middle Income country — request partial waiver

[ ] Early Career Researcher / Student with no APC funding

[ ] Unfunded independent researcher / small institution

[ ] Other (explain): ___________________________________

Please provide any supporting documentation (upload or paste links):

– Institutional funding denial letter / student ID / other proof: ___________________________

Declaration:

I confirm that the information provided is accurate. I understand that falsification may lead to sanctions.

Signature (typed): _____________________________     Date: __/__/____

Send this form and documents to: editorial@globenixpublisher.com

18. Sample APC Invoice Template (summary)

Globenix Publisher — Invoice

Invoice No: GP-YYYY-XXXXX

Date: [Invoice date]

Due Date: [Payment due date]

Billed to:

Corresponding author: [Name]

Affiliation: [Institution]

Address: [Postal address]

Email: [Email]

Article title: [Title]

Journal: [Journal title]

Manuscript ID: [ID]

Item: Article Processing Charge (APC)

Description: APC for publication in [Journal title]; covers peer review administration, production, DOI registration, hosting and archiving.

Amount: [APC amount] [Currency]

Discount / Waiver: [if granted — amount/percentage]

Total Due: [Total amount]

Payment instructions: [Bank SWIFT details / online payment link / other]

Notes: All bank fees and currency conversion charges are the responsibility of the payer.

Contact for billing queries: billing@globenixpublisher.com | editorial@globenixpublisher.com

19. Implementation checklist for journal pages (for admins/web team)

• Publish APC amount and currency on the journal homepage and in the “For Authors” section.
• Provide a downloadable APC invoice template and Waiver Application Form.
• Add clear payment instructions and contact for billing queries.
• Configure submission system to capture waiver applications at or after submission and to flag accepted manuscripts for billing.
• Ensure waiver decisions are stored confidentially and published only in aggregate statistics.

20. Contact for APC & waiver queries

For questions about APCs, invoicing, or waivers, please contact:
Editorial Office / Billing — editorial@globenixpublisher.com | billing@globenixpublisher.com
Phone: +91 99576 11303