Waiver Policy

The Annals of Proteomics and Bioinformatics (APB) believes that the ability to publish scientific research should not be restricted by financial barriers. To support equitable access to publishing, APB offers a flexible Waiver Policy for authors who are unable to pay Article Processing Charges (APCs) due to financial constraints.

Waivers and discounts are available to authors based in Low-Income and Lower-Middle-Income Countries as defined by the World Bank Classification.

1. Objective

The purpose of this policy is to promote inclusive open-access publishing by offering fee waivers or discounts to authors lacking institutional or grant support. APB adheres to the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity.

2. Eligibility Criteria

  • Authors must clearly indicate their request for a waiver during or prior to submission.
  • Eligibility is primarily determined based on the author’s country of residence and funding status.
  • Only the corresponding author needs to apply for the waiver on behalf of all co-authors.
Waiver requests submitted after invoice generation may not be considered.

3. Classification and Discount Levels

Country Classification (World Bank) Waiver Eligibility Discount
Low-Income Countries (LIC) Full waiver 100%
Lower-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) Partial waiver 50%
Upper-Middle-Income Countries (UMIC) Case-based waiver Up to 25%

Countries are classified according to the World Bank Income Classification updated annually.

4. Special Considerations

  • Early-career researchers and students without funding may request individual consideration.
  • Authors contributing to special issues or invited papers may be granted automatic waivers.
  • Requests from humanitarian or global health research projects are prioritized.

5. Application Process

  1. Submit a written waiver request to [email protected] before final acceptance.
  2. Include the manuscript ID, title, and corresponding author’s details.
  3. Provide a brief justification for the waiver (e.g., “no grant support” or “low-income country”).
  4. The editorial office will respond within 7–10 business days.
Confidentiality: All waiver requests are treated confidentially and do not influence editorial decisions.

6. Decision and Notification

The decision regarding a waiver request will be communicated via email. Waivers are valid only for the manuscript under consideration and cannot be transferred to other submissions.

Approved waivers are automatically reflected in the final invoice and payment confirmation.

7. Institutional Agreements

APB encourages universities, libraries, and research consortia to establish institutional publishing agreements or memberships. Institutions under such agreements may enjoy full or partial fee waivers for affiliated authors.

8. Transparency and Fairness

Waiver approval is based solely on objective criteria and available funding allocations. Editorial decisions are made independently of waiver status to maintain publication ethics and neutrality.

9. Annual Review

The waiver structure and eligibility list are reviewed annually to ensure compliance with global open-access equity initiatives and updated World Bank data.

10. Contact Information

© 2025 Annals of Proteomics and Bioinformatics (APB) · Heighten Sciences Publication Incorporation

Source Reference: DOAJ Open Access Equity Guidelines, COPE Best Practices, OASPA Code of Conduct, and World Bank Income Classifications (2025).