Article Processing Charges
The Archives of Clinical and Experimental Orthopaedics (ACEO) operates as a fully open-access journal. To sustain editorial operations, web hosting, indexing, DOI registration, and peer review management, a transparent Article Processing Charge (APC) applies after final acceptance.
“APCs ensure that scientific knowledge remains freely available to all — without subscription barriers.”
1. Standard APC Rates
| Article Type | APC (USD) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Original Research / Review Articles | 2949 USD | Peer review, editing, DOI, indexing, hosting |
| Case Reports / Short Communications | 2949 USD | Peer review, proofing, metadata inclusion |
| Letters / Commentaries / Editorials | 2949 USD | Editing, DOI registration |
| Clinical Images / Technical Notes | 2949 USD | Hosting and permanent archiving |
Note: APC is payable only after acceptance of the manuscript. No submission or review fees are charged.
2. What the APC Covers
The APC supports the entire editorial workflow from submission to archiving. Specifically, it includes:
- Editorial management and technical screening
- Double-blind peer review coordination
- Language editing and typesetting
- Crossref DOI registration
- Metadata tagging for indexing databases (Google Scholar, DOAJ, Dimensions)
- Long-term archiving via CLOCKSS, LOCKSS, and PKP PN
- 24/7 server and web hosting maintenance
3. Payment Instructions
- Invoices are issued post-acceptance through the Editorial Office.
- Accepted payment modes:
- PayPal and Payoneer
- International Bank Transfer (SWIFT)
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX)
- Authors will receive a payment confirmation receipt within 3–5 business days of completion.
4. Currency and Conversion
All charges are denominated in U.S. Dollars (USD). Equivalent amounts may be accepted in EUR, GBP, or INR, based on current exchange rates. Bank or currency conversion fees are borne by the author or institution.
5. Discounts and Waivers
ACEO supports inclusivity by offering APC reductions for authors based on country income and contribution:
| Author Category | Discount (%) |
|---|---|
| Low-Income Countries (World Bank list) | 100% (Full Waiver) |
| Lower-Middle-Income Countries | 50% |
| Early-Career Researchers | 30% |
| Editorial Board Members / Reviewers | 30%–50% |
All waiver requests must be submitted before payment to the editorial office at [email protected].
6. Institutional and Funding Support
ACEO welcomes APC payments through institutional or grant funds. The journal provides formal invoices and funding statements required by sponsors or universities. Institutions may request centralized billing arrangements for multiple publications.
7. Financial Transparency
In line with DOAJ’s Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing, ACEO discloses all applicable publication fees on its website. The editorial team has no influence on financial transactions or acceptance decisions.
8. Refund Policy
Refunds are handled according to ACEO’s Refund Policy. In cases of duplicate payment, system error, or withdrawal before production, authors may request a partial or full refund. No refund applies after online publication.
9. APC Review Cycle
APC rates are reviewed annually by the ACEO Editorial Board to ensure fair and sustainable publication costs. Adjustments, if any, are updated transparently on the website and notified to authors at least 30 days prior to enforcement.
10. Contact for Financial Queries
Email: [email protected]
Subject: APC Inquiry – [Manuscript ID]
Phone: +1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX
11. Ethical and Legal Compliance
All APC payments are processed under secure payment gateways compliant with PCI-DSS, GDPR, and international anti-fraud regulations. ACEO ensures confidentiality of payment records and authors’ personal data.
12. Summary Table
| Fee Component | Included in APC? |
|---|---|
| Submission Fee | No (Free) |
| Peer Review | Yes |
| Editing and Proofing | Yes |
| DOI Assignment | Yes |
| Indexing/Archiving | Yes |
| Waiver Option | Yes (Eligibility-based) |
13. Conclusion
The Article Processing Charges Policy of ACEO ensures ethical, transparent, and sustainable open-access publishing. Authors are encouraged to discuss APC-related questions early during submission to avoid delays in publication.