Article Processing Charges APC

Open access publication fees, also known as Article Processing Charges (APCs), are fees charged by publishers to authors who wish to publish their articles open access. These fees cover the costs of making an article freely available online, such as peer review, production, and hosting. APCs are typically charged to the corresponding or first author. 

• Authors: Most often, authors pay the APC. 
• Institutions: Some organizations, like Texas Tech University Libraries, have agreements with publishers that cover the costs of open-access publishing. 
• Funder: Funding agencies may also cover the cost of open-access publishing. 

• APCs vary depending on the journal, the publisher, and the type of open access option chosen (e.g., hybrid journals, fully open access journals). 

• Some journals may have higher APCs for articles in higher-prestige journals. 

• APCs can range from under $1,000 to over $10,000 per article. 

• To ensure open access:

  APCs are used by open access journals in lieu of subscription fees that libraries and readers have traditionally paid. 

• To provide wider access to research:

  Open access articles are freely available to anyone with an internet connection. 

• To offset publication costs:

  APCs help cover the costs of peer review, production, and online hosting and archiving.