APC FAQs

Welcome to the APC (Article Processing Charge) FAQs page for Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences. Here, we provide answers to frequently asked questions about the APC, a fee charged for the publication of accepted articles. We aim to provide transparency about this charge and help authors understand how it works. If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to our editorial team.

1. What is the Article Processing Charge (APC)?

The Article Processing Charge (APC) is a fee that authors are required to pay once their article has been accepted for publication in Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences. The APC supports the costs of open-access publication, ensuring that the article is freely available to all readers and can be accessed without any subscription or paywall.

As part of our commitment to open access, the APC ensures that our journal operates sustainably while providing high-quality, peer-reviewed research in the fields of sociology and political science.

*2. Why does Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences charge an APC?

The APC covers the costs associated with the editorial and production process, including:

  • Peer review management.
  • Copyediting and typesetting.
  • Hosting and maintaining the journal website.
  • Open access infrastructure to ensure free access to published content.
  • Ensuring that articles are available to a global audience without subscription fees.

By charging an APC, we can maintain the journal's high quality and support the dissemination of research to a wide audience.

*3. How much is the APC for Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences?

The APC for Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences is USD $150 for each accepted article. This fee is due after an article has been accepted for publication, before it is made publicly available.

Please note that the APC is only applicable to articles that are successfully accepted for publication. The charge is non-refundable, even in cases of withdrawal or rejection after acceptance.

4. Are there any discounts or waivers available for the APC?

Yes, we understand that the APC may present a financial challenge for some authors. Therefore, we offer a limited number of waivers and discounts for authors who may have difficulty paying the full APC.

  • Full Waiver: Available for authors from low-income countries or in special circumstances, such as early-career researchers or authors with financial hardship. To request a full waiver, authors should contact the editorial office prior to submission, providing the relevant details of their situation.
  • Partial Waiver: We also offer partial waivers on a case-by-case basis for authors who may need some financial assistance. This waiver can be applied for after acceptance and before payment of the APC.

If you would like to apply for an APC waiver or discount, please email the editorial office with a brief explanation of your circumstances.

5. When do I need to pay the APC?

The APC is due only after your article has been accepted for publication and you have received an acceptance notification. The payment must be made before the article is published and made publicly available.

Once the payment is confirmed, your article will be scheduled for publication. We will send detailed instructions for how to make the payment, including accepted methods and payment deadlines.

6. What payment methods are accepted?

We accept the following payment methods for the APC:

  • Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
  • Bank Transfers
  • PayPal

Instructions for payment will be provided after your article has been accepted for publication. If you need any assistance with the payment process, please contact our editorial office.

7. What happens if I don’t pay the APC?

If the APC is not paid within the specified deadline, your article will not be published. If payment is delayed for an extended period, the article will be withdrawn from the publication queue, and you may need to resubmit it after resolving the payment issue.

Please note that once an article has been accepted, failure to pay the APC may result in the article not being published, and the submission process may need to be restarted.

8. Can I request a refund of the APC if I withdraw my article?

Once the APC has been paid and the article has been accepted, it is non-refundable. If you withdraw your article before the acceptance stage, no APC will be charged, but please ensure that you notify the editorial office as soon as possible.

In the event that an article is withdrawn after payment has been made, no refund will be issued, as the APC covers costs already incurred in the editorial and production process.

9. Do I need to pay the APC for all article types?

Yes, the APC applies to all accepted article types, including:

  • Original Research Articles
  • Review Articles
  • Case Studies
  • Theoretical Articles
  • Commentaries and Opinion Pieces
  • Book Reviews

Regardless of the article type, the same APC applies once the article is accepted for publication.

10. What is included in the APC?

The APC covers all the costs associated with making your article open access and ensuring it is published in Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences. This includes:

  • Comprehensive peer review and editorial services.
  • Copyediting and professional formatting of your manuscript.
  • Typesetting and the creation of final PDF versions.
  • Long-term archiving and availability of your article in our digital repositories.
  • DOI (Digital Object Identifier) registration to ensure your article is citable and permanently accessible.

11. Can the APC be waived for certain authors or journals?

In some cases, the APC may be waived or reduced, depending on the funding policies, author location, or specific circumstances. Authors from low-income countries or those who are facing financial hardship may be eligible for a full or partial waiver.

If you believe that you qualify for a waiver, please contact the editorial office with the relevant details, and we will evaluate your request.

12. How can I apply for a waiver or discount on the APC?

To apply for a waiver or discount, please send an email to the Editorial Office at prithivraj@scientificforefront.org before submitting your manuscript. In your email, please provide:

  • A brief explanation of why you are requesting the waiver or discount.
  • Any relevant documentation (e.g., proof of financial hardship, institutional funding restrictions, etc.).

Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

13. Will the APC affect my article’s acceptance or review process?

No, the APC is only required after your article is accepted for publication. The review process is entirely independent of the APC, and the decision to accept or reject your manuscript is based solely on the quality and relevance of the research, not on your ability to pay the APC.

14. Can I still publish my article in print, or is it only available online?

Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences is an open-access journal, and all articles are published online first. We do not charge extra fees for print publication because our journal is fully open access. Once your article is published online, it will be available to a global audience without any subscription or paywall.

15. Who can I contact if I have more questions about the APC?

If you have any additional questions about the Article Processing Charge, please feel free to contact our editorial team at:

Email: prithivraj@scientificforefront.org
Address: No. 15, Malleswarar Kovil Street,
                  Nandhivaram, Guduvancheri, Chennai 603202, India

We are here to assist you with any queries related to the APC and the submission process.

Thank you for choosing Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences. We are committed to making the publication process as transparent and accessible as possible for our authors. We look forward to receiving your high-quality research and contributing to the fields of sociology and political science!