Did you know article processing charges (APCs) can be over $10,000 per article? However, actual publishing costs rarely hit $1,0001. This underscores the stages and complexity of academic publishing costs, though others may say it underscores the motivation for profit and for making money off authors’ hard work. You’re about to learn why APCs exist and how they affect open access publishing.
APCs are a driver for open access and hybrid journals. They cost from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per article2. Authors, institutions, or funding agencies pay these fees at publication, taking the place of traditional subscription models that put the payment burden on the reader2. The move to open access (free to read) has grown, thanks to the “Nelson Memo” supporting open access for federally funded research2.
So, why do we have APCs? For starters, APCs cover important services like peer review, technical editing, and platform upkeep. These ensure scholarly work is both of good quality and accessible. In fact, the average publication charge can bring a profit of up to 301.
APCs aren’t fixed. Many publishers offer waivers or discounts, especially for authors from low-income (Global South) countries and early-career researchers (ECRs)2. Some agreements cover all APC costs. For example, ODU/VIVA corresponding authors can publish open access in ACM journals at no charge3.
This guide will help you understand APCs, their role in open access publishing, and their impact on academic communication. You’ll see the balance between costs, quality, and accessibility in scholarly publishing. In here, at least, we’re taking the side of justifying APCs for the sake of understanding them rather than critiquing them.
Why there are APCs in scholarly publishing
APCs have changed how we share research. In enabling research to be available for anyone to read, and no longer mandating huge subscription fees, APCs make it easier for people all over the world to access knowledge. And to cite and build on that knowledge.
Definition and purpose of APCs
APCs are fees authors or their institutions pay to make research open. The average cost is about €1,500 per article.4. Yet, they can be from a few hundred to nearly $12,000 per article5.
These fees help cover the costs of checking the research, editing, and publishing it.
Role in open access publishing
APCs help make research free for everyone to read. Places like NOAA Library will pay for APCs for some journals starting in 20245. This shows how APCs are important for making science more accessible.
As things change, it’s changing how we fund, publish, and access research worldwide.
The economics behind journal publishing costs
The way we publish research has changed a lot. Now, open access journals are very important. Paying to publish research may not seem to make sense, when the published research may also be paid for and when the research is essentially a public service (one that’s already incurred expenses in its creation).
Operational expenses breakdown
Running a journal costs money. This includes rent, utilities, salaries, subscriptions, and marketing. At first, many journals lose money, but they can make a profit later6. They use APCs to cover costs and avoid losing money6.
Infrastructure and technology investments
Publishers spend a great deal on technology and infrastructure. They need good online platforms, peer review systems, and places to host articles. These investments help journals work well and make research easy to find.
Staff and editorial team compensation
A big part of publishing costs is paying staff involved in all stages of the publication cycle and the very operation of the business. This includes salaries for administrators, editors, and others who check the quality of research. The process of reviewing and revising articles adds to the cost7. Peer reviewers, however, typically are unpaid, which is another convention in academic publishing, though one that is changing.
Some publishers make a lot of money, with profits up to 40%7. This has sparked debates about how much we should pay for open access.
APCs can be very high, over $5,000 for top journals. This price reflects the journal’s reputation and its place in the market. Studies show that journals with higher impact factors charge more7.
How APCs support quality academic publishing
APCs are pivotal in keeping scholarly communication high-quality. These fees help cover costs for publishing research. APCs can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds per article, based on the publisher and journal2.
In open access publishing, APCs fund peer review, editorial work, and publishing platforms. A 2017 JISC study showed the average APC was £1,737 in 2015. This highlights the investment needed for quality8.
- Peer review management
- Editorial work
- Technical infrastructure
- Marketing and discoverability
- Long-term content preservation
APC costs have gone up over the years, showing the demand for quality publishing. From 2005 to 2018, APCs in Europe went from €858 to €1,600. This increase supports better platforms and services for research8.
APCs can be high, but many journals offer discounts or waivers. Authors from low-income countries or facing financial issues often get these deals. This makes quality publishing available to researchers globally2.
Transformative agreements and publishing partnerships
The way we publish research is changing. Transformative agreements are making open access publishing cheaper and easier for researchers. These deals between publishers and institutions help make research free for everyone.
University consortia arrangements
University groups are working together to get better deals for researchers. They make sure authors from these schools don’t have to pay for open access9. But, smaller schools might find it hard to join in9.
Publisher-institution collaborations
New models for open access publishing are being formed through partnerships. For example, the ACM’s “ACM Open” model helps balance costs for different schools9. These partnerships often cover all publishing costs or offer big discounts10.
Read-and-publish models
Read-and-publish models are becoming more popular. Schools pay one fee for both reading and publishing research. This is great for fields like math, where many researchers aren’t funded9.
| Agreement type | APC coverage | Participating countries |
| Full coverage | 100% of APC | 33+ |
| Percentage discount | 10% off list price | Global representation |
| Fixed price contribution | Up to €1,000 | North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa |
These agreements are changing the publishing world. They offer many choices for schools and researchers around the world10. As open access grows, these partnerships help make research free and available globally.
Pricing structure and cost variations across publishers
APCs vary widely among open access journals. APC costs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. This depends on the journal’s prestige and subject area. In 2020, APCs brought in over US$2 billion for major publishers, which is three times what UNESCO spends annually11.
Publishing fee costs are complex. By 2023, about 55% of the cost for an EMBO Press paper went to office expenses. This includes editors’ salaries and administration. Another 40% goes to outsourced publishing services and digital platforms12. This explains why APCs can be quite high.
China is now the biggest payer of APCs. Meanwhile, the USA saw a drop in Green Open Access from 53% to 37% between 2015 and 202011. This change shows how important APCs are becoming in scholarly publishing.
| Publisher | APC range (USD) | Notes |
| eLife | 2,000 | Peer review fee launched in 2023 |
| EMBO Press | Varies | Offers waivers for eligible authors |
| Springer Nature | 2,190–9,500 | Varies by journal |
| Elsevier | 150–9,900 | Depends on journal prestige |
Some publishers, like EMBO Press, offer free publishing for authors from certain countries or under specific criteria12. This helps make open access publishing more accessible. It aims to help researchers, especially from the global south, publish their work without financial barriers11.
The value proposition of open access publishing
Open access publishing changes how we share knowledge. It makes research available to everyone with the internet. This model is worth the cost of APCs.
Global research accessibility
With open access, research reaches more people. This means your work can have a bigger impact. Studies show open access articles get 17.8 more citations than closed ones13.
Citation impact benefits
Open access articles get more citations. They outperform closed access ones, showing a clear advantage13. This can make your research more visible and impactful.
Knowledge dissemination advantages
Open access speeds up scientific progress. It spreads knowledge quickly. While most open access journals are free, they publish less than half of all articles14.
Even with higher APCs, open access is still valuable. It offers more visibility, citations, and global access. This makes it a good investment for researchers and institutions.
APC waivers and discount programs
Open access publishing has changed how we share research. But, APCs can be a problem for some authors. Many publishers now offer waivers and discounts to help make publishing more affordable15.
There are many options available. For example, the American Chemical Society offers discounts to authors from certain institutions. Annual Reviews goes further with their Subscribe to Open program, aiming to eliminate APCs for corresponding authors by 202515.
Wiley supports authors from low- and middle-income countries in a big way. They automatically waive APCs for authors from 81 countries. For authors from 60 other countries, they offer a 50% discount when publishing in fully open access journals16.
BMJ journals give a 100% discount on APCs to authors from low-income countries. To get this discount, all authors must be from countries on the waiver list. The research must also be conducted in these countries without any external funding for APCs17.
| Publisher | Waiver/discount offer | Eligibility |
| American Chemical Society | Discount on APCs | Authors from subscriber institutions |
| Annual Reviews | No APCs by 2025 | Corresponding authors under S2O program |
| Wiley | Automatic waivers or 50% discount | Authors from 141 low- and middle-income countries |
| BMJ | 100% discount on APCs | Authors from low-income countries |
These programs help ensure that author fees don’t stop important research from being shared worldwide. By looking into these options, you can find ways to make open access publishing more budget-friendly for your work.
Alternative funding models for scientific publishing
The world of scholarly communication is changing fast. New ways to fund publishing are coming up. These options help make research open to everyone.
Institutional support systems
Universities and research places are starting programs to help with publishing costs. They use funds or work with publishers. For example, PLOS, a nonprofit, now works with almost 300 institutions in 28 countries18.
Grant funding options
Research grants now often include money for publishing fees. You can use your grant to pay for APCs, depending on your agency’s rules19. Groups like the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation give grants for open access19.
Hybrid publishing models
Hybrid models mix subscription and open access. They include new ideas like Subscribe to Open (S2O). Journals become open access if they hit certain revenue targets19. Some publishers also offer free online versions of books, alongside paid ones19.
The publishing world is always changing. We’ll see more new ideas to help open access. These changes aim to make research more available to everyone, making the academic world more open and fair.
APCs’ role in journal sustainability
APCs keep open access journals alive. These fees pay for editing, tech, and archiving. Many schools and research places have funds to help with these costs20.
APCs are changing with the times in scholarly publishing. For example, npj Materials Sustainability (Nature) charges £1,590.00/$2,190.00/€1,890.00 per article21. This lets the journal publish articles for free right away, without needing subscriptions or sign-ups21.
Some journals offer breaks or free publishing for authors from poorer countries20. Springer Nature, for instance, gives waivers and discounts to authors from the poorest countries21.
Keeping open access journals going needs teamwork to handle costs. Schools and publishers work together to lower or cover APCs for their authors20. This shows how APCs are vital for journals switching to open access.
As publishing changes, researchers need to know about APC rules, discounts, and funding20. With smart planning and resourcefulness, authors can find ways to pay for APCs. This makes their research more visible and accessible in the open access world.
Quality assurance and editorial standards
Quality assurance and editorial standards are crucial in scholarly communication. They ensure the integrity and value of published research. APCs play a key role in maintaining these high standards in open access publishing.
Peer review process management
Peer review is the backbone of quality assurance in academic publishing. APCs support robust peer review systems, ensuring thorough evaluation of research. Despite the costs, many researchers see value in this process. Still, 57% of researchers avoid publishing in open access journals with APCs22.
Technical editing services
APCs fund essential technical editing services. These include plagiarism checks, proofreading, and language improvement. Such services improve the clarity and readability of journal articles. The cost to publish a scientific paper can range from $10 to $5,000, reflecting the varying levels of editing required22.
Publication platform maintenance
Maintaining cutting-edge publication platforms is crucial for efficient scholarly communication. APCs contribute to the development and upkeep of these systems. They ensure smooth manuscript submission, peer review, and publication processes. Some publishers, like MDPI, use part of their income to promote journals through conference sponsorships and awards23.
While APCs support quality assurance, they can create barriers for some researchers. About 40% of researchers view APCs as a threat to open science22. To address this, many publishers offer waivers and discounts. For instance, MDPI waives approximately 25-27% of its total APCs annually23.
Future trends in publishing cost models
The way we publish academic work is changing fast, with open access becoming more popular. In 2024, the cost to publish in fully open access journals went up by 10%. Hybrid journals saw a 4% increase24. This growth is faster than the global price increase of about 6% for 202424.
Even with these hikes, the real cost of publishing in open access journals has actually gone down since 2017. This is except for 2021 and 202424. The average cost for publishing an article globally is $1,626. But, some specialized journals charge less25. For instance, case report-focused journals in the U.S. cost about $928 per article25.
The future of publishing looks exciting with new models emerging. Diamond and Platinum open access are becoming more common. They offer free access without any fees26. Green open access lets authors publish in subscription journals and also share their work online for free26.
Technology is also playing a big role in changing the publishing world. AI and large language models are making peer review faster. Tools like SciScore and Proofig help check research methods, while Penelope.ai does initial checks on manuscripts26. These tools could make publishing cheaper and more efficient.
As the industry evolves, expect to see more choices in publishing. This includes smaller publications and multimedia content. These changes aim to make research easier to access and more impactful. They might also shape the future of publishing costs and APCs.
Maximizing return on investment for authors
As an author, you can use open access publishing to increase your research’s impact. The way we share scholarly work is changing. Now, about 15% of journal articles are open access right when they come out27. This change offers great chances to get more value from the fees you pay for APCs.
To cover APC costs, look for different funding sources. Many schools have funds or grants for open access publishing. For example, the University of California’s BRII program helps authors pay less or nothing at all27. See if your school has such programs or if your grants can help with publishing fees.
Think about the long-term gains of open access publishing. While APC fees can be high, sometimes over $7,000, open access can make your work more visible. This can lead to more citations, boosting your research’s impact and your career.
When picking a journal, consider more than just if it’s open access. Authors often value a journal’s reputation and relevance more than its open access status28. Mix these factors with the chance for wider reach through open access to guide your publishing choices in today’s changing academic world.
FAQ
Q: What are APCs?
A: APCs are fees authors or their institutions pay to publish research in open access journals. These fees help cover costs like editing, peer review, and making articles available online.
Q: Why do journals charge APCs?
A: Journals charge APCs to keep research free for everyone. This money goes to things like editing, peer review, and making articles easy to find. It helps keep the quality of research high.
Q: How much do APCs typically cost?
A: APC costs vary a lot. They can be as low as $160 or over $5,000. This depends on the journal’s reputation, subject, and publisher. In 2023–2024, some top journals charged over $5,000, while others were more modestly priced.
Q: Are there ways to reduce or avoid paying APCs?
A: Yes, many publishers offer waivers or discounts for those in need. Some institutions also cover APCs for their researchers. Grants might also help pay for open access publishing.
Q: How do APCs benefit authors?
A: APCs make research open to everyone, which can boost its impact. Open access articles get more citations and reach more people. This can help authors get recognized and advance their careers.
Q: What are transformative agreements in publishing?
A: Transformative agreements are deals between publishers and institutions. They aim to switch from subscription-based to open access. This makes publishing open access easier for authors.
Q: How do APCs support quality in academic publishing?
A: APCs fund important parts of publishing quality, like peer review and editing. These investments help keep standards high and research reliable.
Q: Are there alternatives to the APC model?
A: Yes, new models are coming up, like institutional support and grant funding. Some publishers are also trying new ways to charge, like process-based models.
Q: How can I maximize my return on investment when paying APCs?
A: To get the most value, pick reputable journals, use institutional funds or grants, and share your research widely. Open access can lead to more citations and visibility.
Q: What are the future trends in publishing cost models?
A: Future trends might include more process-based models and more transformative agreements. New funding options and tech advancements could also shape open access publishing.
