Charges Policy

The Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology (JCMC) believes in maintaining absolute transparency when it comes to financial aspects of the publication process. This Charges Policy has been designed to ensure that all authors, institutions, and stakeholders fully understand the costs involved in publishing a manuscript with the journal. By providing a clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand breakdown of the various charges, we aim to promote trust and ensure that there are no surprises during the submission or publication process. This is crucial for maintaining the journal's integrity and ensuring compliance with the financial transparency guidelines of major indexing databases, such as DOAJ, Scopus, Web of Science, and others.

This policy covers the Article Processing Charges (APCs), waivers, discounts, payment timelines, refund policies, and additional information about funding support. Our aim is to strike a balance between ensuring that the journal remains sustainable while providing an accessible platform for researchers across the globe, regardless of their financial situation. By clearly outlining these policies, we enable authors to make informed decisions about submitting their work to the journal, contributing to a more open and fair publishing ecosystem.

1. APC Applicability

The Article Processing Charge (APC) at JCMC is applicable only once a manuscript has successfully passed the peer-review process and has been formally accepted for publication. This means that no fees are charged during the initial stages of submission and peer review, allowing authors to submit their work without any upfront financial commitment. We believe that this approach encourages submissions from a diverse group of researchers and ensures that the APC is only charged for articles that are ready for publication.

The APC is structured to cover a range of operational costs associated with maintaining a high-quality open-access journal. These costs include, but are not limited to, editorial review, peer review management, journal hosting, copyediting, typesetting, archiving, and the continuous availability of the published content online. By charging APCs, we can sustain the journal’s operations and continue to provide free access to published articles for the global scientific community.

Unlike traditional subscription-based journals, JCMC operates under a Gold Open Access model, meaning that all articles are freely available to anyone, anywhere, without requiring a subscription. This model is endorsed by major indexing platforms, as it promotes wider dissemination of scientific knowledge and allows for greater visibility of published work. As part of this model, the APC ensures that the journal can function efficiently while authors benefit from increased reach and impact of their research.

It is important to note that APCs at JCMC are designed to be competitive and transparent, ensuring that authors know exactly what they are paying for. We do not impose additional charges based on word count, figures, tables, or supplementary material, as detailed in the next section. This helps to create an equitable publishing environment where all authors can submit their work without financial barriers impacting the quality or length of their manuscript.

2. No Hidden Fees

At JCMC, we believe in complete transparency when it comes to publication fees, and our policy ensures that there are no hidden or additional costs for authors. The Article Processing Charge (APC) covers all aspects of the publication process, and once this fee is paid, authors will not be subject to any unexpected charges. This no-hidden-fees policy is designed to alleviate concerns that authors may have about additional costs and helps to foster trust in the publication process.

Specifically, the APC includes all charges related to:

• Color Figures and Images: Authors are free to submit color figures and images without incurring any extra fees. We understand that visual elements are an important part of scientific communication, and we do not want to discourage the inclusion of high-quality graphics.
• Lengthy Manuscripts: Some journals impose additional charges for manuscripts that exceed a certain word count or page length. At JCMC, we do not limit the length of manuscripts or charge extra for longer submissions. Authors are encouraged to present their research comprehensively, knowing that the length of their article will not impact the publication fee.
• Supplementary Data or Materials: Authors can submit supplementary files, such as datasets, tables, or figures, without worrying about extra charges. These materials can be important for enhancing the transparency and reproducibility of the research.
• Revisions and Resubmissions: During the peer-review process, authors may be required to revise their manuscripts based on reviewer feedback. JCMC does not charge additional fees for revisions or resubmissions, ensuring that authors can improve their work without financial penalties.

This clear and straightforward approach to fees ensures that authors can submit their research with confidence, knowing that there will be no unexpected costs during the publication process. Our no-hidden-fees policy aligns with the expectations of major indexing platforms, which value transparency and fairness in the publication process. By eliminating hidden fees, we make it easier for authors to plan and budget for their publication, promoting a more inclusive and accessible publishing environment.

3. Waivers and Discounts

Recognizing that not all researchers have equal access to funding, JCMC offers a Waiver and Discount Policy designed to support authors who may face financial barriers to publication. Our policy is especially geared towards researchers from low-income and middle-income countries or those without institutional financial support. We believe that financial constraints should not prevent high-quality research from being published and shared with the global scientific community.

Authors from eligible countries can apply for a partial or full waiver of the APC, depending on their financial circumstances. The list of eligible countries is based on the World Bank’s income classification of low- and middle-income economies. In addition to country-based eligibility, individual authors facing financial hardship can also apply for waivers or discounts. Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that the process is fair and equitable.

To apply for a waiver or discount, authors are required to submit a Waiver Request Form along with their manuscript. The request should include a brief explanation of their financial situation and the reason for seeking financial support. The editorial team will review the application confidentially, and the decision will be communicated to the authors promptly. Waiver requests do not influence the editorial decision-making process, and the review of the manuscript remains completely independent of the waiver application.

By offering waivers and discounts, JCMC ensures that researchers from all regions and backgrounds have the opportunity to publish their work in an open-access journal. This policy is in line with the best practices of major indexing databases, which emphasize the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in scholarly publishing. By supporting financially disadvantaged authors, we are helping to reduce barriers to publication and promoting greater diversity in the research we publish.

4. Refund Policy

At JCMC, we have established a clear and transparent Refund Policy to address situations where manuscripts are rejected or withdrawn before the final stages of publication. We understand that circumstances may change during the publication process, and we want to ensure that our authors are treated fairly and equitably at all stages.

Manuscripts Rejected Before Acceptance: No APCs are charged for manuscripts that are rejected after the peer-review process. The APC is only applicable after a manuscript has been formally accepted for publication. This means that authors are not required to pay any fees if their submission is not selected for publication, ensuring that the financial burden is only incurred once the article is deemed suitable for publication.

Withdrawn Manuscripts: If an author chooses to withdraw their manuscript after it has been accepted but before it enters the production phase, a partial refund may be considered. However, once the article has entered production (which includes typesetting, formatting, and final editorial checks), no refunds can be provided. This policy ensures that the journal can recover the costs already incurred during the early stages of publication while providing authors with a fair opportunity to withdraw their work if necessary.

Exceptional Circumstances: In rare cases where errors occur during the publication process or due to technical issues, JCMC will review refund requests on a case-by-case basis. The journal aims to resolve such issues fairly and promptly to maintain the integrity of the publication process and ensure a positive experience for all authors.

By offering a clear refund policy, JCMC ensures that authors are well-informed about their financial obligations and rights throughout the publication process. This transparency aligns with the standards of major indexing platforms, which require journals to provide clear guidelines on fees, refunds, and withdrawals.

5. Payment Timeline

Once a manuscript has been formally accepted for publication, the corresponding author will be issued an invoice for the Article Processing Charge (APC). Authors are required to settle the payment before their manuscript can proceed to the production stage. The production phase includes copyediting, typesetting, formatting, and final proofing, and it is only after payment is received that these steps will commence.

JCMC offers multiple payment methods, including credit card payments, bank transfers, and other options as outlined on the journal’s website. The journal provides a secure and reliable payment system, and authors will receive confirmation of payment once it has been processed. This confirmation ensures that the production timeline can begin without delay, allowing for a smooth transition from acceptance to publication.

It is important for authors to complete the payment promptly to avoid any delays in the publication process. The journal operates on a fixed production schedule, and any delays in payment could result in the manuscript being postponed to a later issue. Therefore, we encourage authors to review the payment instructions carefully and reach out to the editorial office if they encounter any issues.

In cases where authors face challenges in securing payment, such as funding delays or institutional payment processes, we encourage early communication with the journal’s editorial team. We are committed to working with authors to find solutions that ensure the timely publication of their work.

By providing clear guidelines on the payment timeline, JCMC ensures that authors have a clear understanding of their financial responsibilities and the steps involved in the publication process. This transparency is essential for compliance with the standards of major indexing databases, which require journals to maintain clear, fair, and accessible payment policies.

6. APC Funding Support

The Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology (JCMC) recognizes that many research institutions, universities, and funding bodies provide financial support for open-access publication. To support authors in securing funding for Article Processing Charges (APC), the journal offers guidance on identifying potential sources of financial support.

Authors are encouraged to check with their home institutions, research funding bodies, and grant providers to determine if they are eligible for APC funding support. Many institutions, particularly those with strong research programs, have dedicated budgets for covering the costs of open-access publishing, and authors can often apply for this support through their department or university library.

In addition to institutional support, there are numerous open-access funding initiatives provided by governments, private foundations, and non-governmental organizations that promote the dissemination of research. Authors can also explore the funding policies of organizations such as the Wellcome Trust, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Horizon Europe, and others, which often include provisions for open-access publication.

JCMC is committed to assisting authors in navigating the complexities of open-access funding and provides resources on its website to help authors find relevant funding sources. By encouraging authors to seek APC funding, the journal ensures that researchers can publish their work without facing financial barriers.

This support aligns with the best practices recommended by major indexing databases, which emphasize the importance of open-access funding in promoting greater accessibility and inclusivity in academic publishing. By offering clear guidance on funding support, JCMC furthers its mission of promoting high-quality cardiovascular research and making it available to a global audience.