Waiver Policy
The Journal of Advanced Pediatrics and Child Health (JAPCH) is committed to promoting equitable access to open-access publishing for authors from all regions and economic backgrounds.
1. Purpose of the Waiver Policy
To uphold inclusivity in scientific publishing, JAPCH offers full or partial waivers of Article Processing Charges (APCs) for eligible authors. This initiative ensures that high-quality pediatric and child health research can be disseminated regardless of authors’ financial capacity.
2. Eligibility for APC Waivers
Waivers are available to authors who meet one or more of the following conditions:
- Authors affiliated with institutions located in low-income or lower-middle-income countries as classified by the World Bank.
- Early-career researchers and postgraduate students with limited funding.
- Authors who have made significant contributions as peer reviewers or editorial board members.
- Invited submissions from recognized research collaborations or conferences.
3. Types of Waivers
| Waiver Type | Description | Percentage Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Full Waiver | Granted to authors from low-income countries or exceptional hardship cases | 100% |
| Partial Waiver | Available to authors from lower-middle-income countries or with partial funding | 25–75% |
| Reviewer Waiver | Reward for peer reviewers contributing to JAPCH | 50% |
| Editorial Waiver | Granted to editorial board members and invited guest editors | 100% |
4. Application Procedure
Authors must apply for a waiver during manuscript submission by selecting “Request APC Waiver” and providing the following information:
- A brief justification or explanation of financial need.
- Institutional affiliation and country of residence.
- Funding details (if any).
- Supporting documentation (optional, such as student ID or institution letter).
5. Waiver Decision Process
Waiver requests are reviewed confidentially by the editorial and finance teams within 5–7 business days. Approval is based on merit, manuscript quality, and author eligibility. The decision will not affect the editorial or peer review process.
6. Ethical and Confidential Review
All waiver requests are handled ethically, ensuring authors are treated with dignity and confidentiality. The journal adheres to the principles outlined by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and DOAJ transparency standards.
7. Transparency and Fairness
Waivers are granted purely on academic merit and financial need. Editorial independence and manuscript decisions are never influenced by authors’ ability to pay the APC.
8. Notification
Applicants are notified via email about their waiver approval or denial before the APC invoice is issued. Approved waivers are applied automatically to the author’s final invoice.
9. Waiver Limitations
- Requests made after invoice generation will not be considered.
- Waivers cannot be transferred between manuscripts or authors.
- Group submissions or conference proceedings are not eligible unless pre-approved.
10. Sustainability Commitment
JAPCH sustains its open-access model through a balanced waiver system, ensuring both accessibility and operational viability. Approximately 20–25% of annual articles benefit from full or partial APC waivers.
11. Contact Information
For waiver-related inquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pediatricshealthjournal.com