Waiver Policy

The Archives of Clinical and Experimental Orthopaedics (ACEO) is committed to supporting equitable access to scientific publishing. The journal recognizes that researchers from low- and middle-income regions may face financial constraints and therefore provides Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers or discounts to ensure inclusivity in global scholarly communication.

“Equity in open access means enabling every voice in science — regardless of financial capacity.”

1. Purpose of the Waiver Policy

This policy aims to remove economic barriers for authors while maintaining transparency and ethical publishing practices. Waivers are provided strictly based on objective criteria defined by the World Bank Country Income Classification and ACEO’s internal funding support programs.

2. Types of Waivers

Authors may apply for one of the following categories:

3. Eligibility Criteria

• The corresponding author’s country of affiliation determines eligibility.
• Proof of employment or affiliation (institutional email or letterhead) must be provided.
• Waivers apply only to accepted manuscripts; they do not influence peer review or editorial decisions.
• Each manuscript is eligible for only one type of waiver.

4. Application Procedure

Authors must submit a waiver request before making APC payment. Requests received after payment may not be processed.

5. Processing and Review

• The Waiver Committee reviews each request within 7 working days.
• Authors are notified via email with approval status and adjusted invoice.
• Waiver approvals are confidential and used solely for internal records.

6. Waiver Decision Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

• Country of residence (based on World Bank index)
• Employment or funding support availability
• Quality and contribution of the submitted work
• Prior contributions as reviewer/editor for ACEO or affiliated journals

7. Waiver Limits and Renewal

• Authors may apply for a waiver once per calendar year unless otherwise invited.
• Institutional partnerships may allow recurring waivers through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
• Waiver policies are subject to annual review and revision by the Editorial Board.

8. Waiver Confidentiality and Ethics

All waiver decisions are handled confidentially. Editorial independence remains absolute — waiver requests have no influence on the editorial or peer review process. The financial aspect of publication is managed separately by the administrative department.

9. Institutional Agreements and Consortia

ACEO supports collaborative agreements with research institutions, universities, and consortia to provide bulk or pre-approved waivers for faculty members, ensuring sustainable open access publishing.

10. Transparency and Public Disclosure

In compliance with the DOAJ Transparency Standards, all details regarding waiver availability and criteria are publicly accessible on the journal’s website. This ensures fairness and prevents any hidden charges or discrimination.

11. Special Considerations

• Authors affected by natural disasters, political crises, or war may request compassionate waivers.
• Researchers from underfunded institutions or NGOs may be eligible for case-based discounts.
• Student researchers (Master’s or PhD level) may receive academic support upon request.

12. Contact and Support

13. Conclusion

The Waiver Policy of ACEO reflects the journal’s dedication to promoting global inclusivity in research publishing. By offering fee relief based on ethical and transparent principles, ACEO ensures that valuable scientific contributions are shared without economic barriers.