Fees & Waivers

Article Processing Charges (APC)

Forefront in Sociology & Political Science is committed to providing high-quality, open-access publication of research in sociology and political science. To support editorial management, peer review, production, and online hosting, the journal charges a modest Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted manuscripts.

The APC is payable only after a manuscript has been accepted for publication. There are no submission fees, and no charges are applied to rejected manuscripts.

APC Rates

  • Authors based in India: ₹1,500 INR

  • International authors: USD 30

Discounts and Waivers

To promote equitable access to scholarly publishing, APC discounts and waivers are available:

  • Low-income countries (as classified by the World Bank): Full APC waiver

  • Lower- and upper-middle-income countries: Discounted APC of USD 20

  • Additional waivers or reductions may be considered upon reasonable request.

Country classification is determined based on the corresponding author’s institutional affiliation and follows the World Bank income group classifications.

  • Payment Methods for Indian Authors:

    1. Bank Transfer:

    Please transfer the APC amount to the following account details:

    • Bank Name: ICICI Bank
    • Account Name: PSYLORE PRIVATE LIMITED
    • Account Number: 270805001058
    • IFSC Code: ICIC0002708ICICI
    • Swift Code: ICICINBBCTS
    • Branch Name: SIRUSERI BRANCH
    • Bank Address: ICICI BANK LIMITED BRANCH,                                                                                                                                             ICICI BANK LTD., NO. 34, EKATTUR,                                                                                                                                     OLD MAHAPALIPURAM ROAD (OMR),                                                                                                                                  SIRUSERI, 603103

    Kindly mention the article title and the author's name as the payment reference when making the transfer. After completing the payment, please email the bank transfer receipt to journalmanager@scientificforefront.org

    2. UPI Payment:

    For UPI payments, use the following UPI ID to complete the transaction:

    • UPI ID: psyloreprivatelimited@icici

    Once the payment is made, kindly share the UPI payment confirmation screenshot via email to journalmanager@scientificforefront.org

    Payment Methods for Foreign Authors:

    1. PayPal:

    International authors can pay via PayPal. Please make the payment to the following PayPal account:

    Once the payment is made, please email the PayPal transaction details to journalmanager@scientificforefront.org.

    2. Online Payment Systems:

    If PayPal or bank transfer are not feasible, authors may choose to make the payment through other international payment platforms such as Stripe or Western Union. Please contact our editorial office for specific details regarding these options by emailing journalmanager@scientificforefront.org.

    Payment Confirmation and Invoice

    Once the APC payment is processed, the journal will send a confirmation receipt via email to the corresponding author. An official invoice will also be issued for your records.

Waivers and Discounts

We recognize that not all authors have the financial means to pay the APC. To ensure that our journal is accessible to all researchers, regardless of their financial circumstances, we offer the following options:

  • Full APC Waivers:
    Authors from low-income countries or institutions are eligible to apply for a full waiver of the APC. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and the decision will depend on the financial situation of the author’s country or institution.

  • Partial APC Waivers:
    Authors from middle-income countries may apply for a partial waiver. The amount of the discount will depend on the author’s financial situation and their country’s economic standing.

  • Institutional Members:
    Authors from institutions that have an active membership with Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences may be eligible for a discount on the APC. Please check with your institution for further details.

  • Grants or Funding:
    If your research is funded by specific grants or institutions, they may cover the APC on your behalf. Please consult your funding body or reach out to our editorial office for more information on this.

How to Apply for APC Waivers or Discounts

To apply for a waiver or discount, please follow these steps:

  1. Submit your manuscript: All authors must first submit their manuscript through our online submission system.
  2. Waiver request: During the submission process, there will be an option to request a waiver or discount. Indicate the type of financial assistance you are seeking (e.g., full waiver, partial discount).
  3. Provide supporting documentation: If applying for a fee waiver, you must submit supporting documentation (e.g., proof of institutional affiliation, financial hardship statement, or research grant award).
  4. Review & Decision: Our editorial team will review your request and notify you of the decision within [14 ] business days.

Benefits of Paying the APC

By paying the APC, you ensure that your research reaches a global audience and contributes to the development of the field of sociology and political science. Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Open Access Publication:
    Your article will be freely available to all researchers, practitioners, and policymakers without any paywalls. Open access increases the visibility and impact of your research.

  • Global Audience:
    Open access publications tend to have a higher citation rate, as they are more accessible to a broader audience.

  • Rigorous Peer Review:
    Your manuscript will undergo a thorough and transparent peer-review process, ensuring high academic quality and credibility.

  • Rapid Publication:
    Once accepted and the APC is paid, your article will be published online as soon as possible, minimizing delays in sharing your findings.

  • Permanent Archiving:
    Your article will be archived in major open-access repositories, ensuring that it remains accessible for future generations of researchers.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  1. What is the Article Processing Charge (APC)?
    The APC is a fee that authors are required to pay to have their article published in the journal. This fee covers costs related to the peer review, editing, formatting, hosting, and open access publication of the article.

  2. Why is the APC charged?
    As an open-access journal, we provide immediate free access to all published articles. The APC helps us cover the costs associated with publishing, such as editorial management, peer review, typesetting, and hosting.

  3. Can I get a waiver or discount on the APC?
    Yes, we offer full and partial waivers based on financial need, as well as discounts for institutional members and authors from low-income countries. Please contact the editorial office to discuss your eligibility.

  4. How do I pay the APC?
    After acceptance, an invoice will be sent to the corresponding author. Payments can be made through credit cards, bank transfers, or PayPal. Detailed instructions will be provided in the invoice.

  5. Is my article really open access?
    Yes! Once the APC is paid, your article will be immediately available to anyone worldwide for free, ensuring it is accessible to a broader audience.

Conclusion

At Forefront in Sociology & Political Sciences, we are committed to providing high-quality, rigorous, and accessible research. The Article Processing Charge (APC) helps us maintain this standard and ensures that your article reaches the widest possible audience, promoting the global exchange of knowledge in sociology and political sciences.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the APC payment process or waiver request, please don't hesitate to contact us.