Article Processing Charges

Article Processing Charges (APCs) – ESTEM Inc.

1. Purpose of Article Processing Charges

ESTEM Inc. publishes all journals under a full open-access model, ensuring that published research is freely available to readers worldwide without subscription barriers.

Article Processing Charges (APCs) support the essential costs associated with high-quality scholarly publishing, including editorial administration, rigorous peer review, copyediting, typesetting, online hosting, indexing preparation, and long-term digital preservation.

2. Transparency and Fair Practice

ESTEM Inc. is committed to complete transparency in its APC policy:

  • APCs are clearly displayed on each journal’s website

  • Fees are communicated to authors before submission and during acceptance

  • APCs are independent of editorial decisions

  • No hidden or undisclosed charges are applied

3. When APCs Are Applied

  • APCs are charged only after a manuscript has been accepted for publication

  • No submission fees are charged unless explicitly stated by the journal

  • Payment of APCs does not influence peer-review outcomes

4. What APCs Cover

APCs contribute to the following publishing services:

  • Manuscript handling and editorial coordination

  • Independent peer-review management

  • Professional copyediting and formatting

  • Online article hosting and platform maintenance

  • DOI registration and metadata distribution

  • Indexing preparation and discoverability support

  • Long-term digital archiving and preservation

5. APC Amounts

APC rates vary by journal and article type.
The current APC amounts are published on the individual journal websites and may differ depending on discipline, manuscript length, and production requirements.

6. Waivers and Discounts

ESTEM Inc. supports inclusive scholarly communication and may offer:

  • Partial or full APC waivers

  • Discounts for authors from low- and middle-income countries

  • Institutional or consortium-based agreements

Requests for waivers or discounts are evaluated fairly and independently and do not affect editorial decisions.

7. Funding and Institutional Support

APCs may be covered by:

  • Research grants or funding agencies

  • Institutional open-access funds

  • Employer or departmental research budgets

Authors are encouraged to verify funding eligibility with their institutions or sponsors.

8. Payment Process

  • An official invoice is issued after manuscript acceptance

  • Secure online payment options are provided

  • Articles are published upon confirmation of APC payment

  • In exceptional cases, prior arrangements may be made according to journal policy

9. Editorial Independence and Ethics

ESTEM Inc. strictly separates editorial decision-making from financial transactions.
All manuscripts are evaluated solely on scholarly merit, relevance, originality, and ethical compliance.

10. Contact Information

For APC-related questions and billing support:

APC & Billing Support Team
ESTEM Inc.

📧 Email: apc@esteminc.com
🌐 Website: www.esteminc.com