Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Dr. Bhagat
Publishing Tips·Updated June 2026
What Is the Article Processing Charge (APC)? Open-Access Fees Explained
What APCs are, why they exist, how much they cost across journals, and practical strategies to reduce or eliminate open-access publication fees.
DefinitionWhat Is an APC?
An Article Processing Charge (APC) is a fee paid by authors (or their institutions or funders) to a journal publisher, typically upon acceptance of a manuscript, in exchange for the article being made freely available to readers online.
The underlying economic logic is a shift in who pays for publishing. In the traditional model, publishers charge readers via subscription fees and content is paywalled. In the open access model, publishers charge authors via APCs and content is free for all readers.
When research is publicly funded, taxpayers who funded the research can access its results without paying again. This is the foundation of the open access mandate increasingly adopted by major funders worldwide.
CostsAPC Amounts Across Journals
APC amounts vary enormously. Here are representative reference points:
PLOS ONE: approximately $1,905 USD. Nature Communications: approximately $6,290 USD. Scientific Reports: approximately $2,290 USD. MDPI journals: approximately $1,000-$2,500 USD. Frontiers journals: approximately $1,200-$3,000 USD. Diamond OA journals: $0.
| Journal Category | Typical APC Range |
|---|---|
| Diamond OA (no APC) | $0 |
| Small society/regional journals | $200-$600 |
| Mid-tier open access journals | $600-$1,500 |
| Major commercial OA journals | $1,500-$3,000 |
| Hybrid OA in subscription journals | $2,000-$4,000 |
| High-prestige full OA (Nature Communications, PLOS Biology) | $3,000-$5,500 |
| Top prestige journals (Nature, Science OA) | $8,000-$11,000+ |
Source: Publisher websites, 2024-2025. Fees change frequently — verify on the journal’s official site before submitting.
ModelsTypes of Open Access
Gold Open Access: The publisher makes the article freely available immediately upon publication. APCs are the most common funding mechanism.
Diamond (Platinum) Open Access: The article is freely available and there is no APC — publishing is funded by institutions, societies, or grants.
Hybrid Open Access: A subscription journal offers authors the option to pay an APC to make their specific article open access, while the rest of the journal remains paywalled.
Green Open Access: Authors self-archive a version of their paper in an open repository. No APC involved; the publisher retains copyright to the final version.
Bronze Open Access: Publisher makes articles freely available without a formal open license. No APC but limited reuse rights.
FundingWho Actually Pays APCs?
The “author pays” description is often misleading. In practice, APCs are typically paid by:
Research funders: Many major funders (NIH, Wellcome, European Research Council) include APC costs in grant budgets and require open access publication as a condition of the grant.
Universities (Read & Publish agreements): Many universities have negotiated transformative agreements with publishers where the institution pays a bulk deal covering APCs for affiliated researchers.
Institutional open access funds: Many universities maintain dedicated APC funds that researchers can apply to.
Authors personally: In cases where no funder or institutional coverage applies. This is where APC costs can be genuinely burdensome, especially for researchers in low- and middle-income countries.
Key Takeaways
FAQPeople also ask
What is an Article Processing Charge (APC)?
An APC is a fee paid by authors (or their funders/institutions) to make a published article freely available online without subscription barriers. It is the primary funding mechanism for gold open access publishing.
How much does a typical APC cost?
APCs range from $0 (diamond OA journals) to over $11,000 (top-tier journals like Nature or Science open access). Most mid-tier open access journals charge between $1,500 and $3,000.
Who pays the APC — the author or the institution?
In practice, APCs are usually paid by research funders, universities through transformative agreements, or institutional OA funds. Authors pay personally only when no other coverage is available.
Can I get an APC waiver?
Yes. Many publishers offer automatic or application-based waivers for authors from low-income countries, early-career researchers, or those without institutional funding. Check the journal’s “Author Guidelines” or “Waivers” page.
SourcesReferences & further reading
SEO & Publishing Data
Focus keyword: article processing charge
Meta description: What Article Processing Charges are, how much they cost, and strategies to reduce or eliminate open-access publication fees.
SEO keyword variations: article processing charge, APC explained, open access fees, what is APC, journal publication cost
Cost BreakdownWhat Determines APC Pricing?
APC pricing varies dramatically across journals and publishers. Understanding the factors helps you budget and identify affordable options:
1. Journal prestige. Top-tier journals like Nature, Science, and Cell charge $5,000-$11,000+ because of their brand value and editorial investment.
2. Publisher type. Society publishers often charge lower APCs ($1,000-$2,500) than commercial publishers ($2,000-$5,000) because they operate on a non-profit basis.
3. Article type. Review articles and data papers sometimes carry higher fees than regular articles because of their length or specialized editorial handling.
4. Page and color charges. Some journals add fees for color figures, supplementary materials, or pages exceeding a limit. Always check the full fee schedule.
5. Waivers and discounts. Many journals offer full waivers for authors from low-income countries (as defined by the World Bank) and partial discounts for middle-income countries.
Pro TipsHow to Reduce or Eliminate APC Costs
1. Check your institution’s agreements. Many universities have “transformative agreements” or memberships with publishers that cover APCs automatically.
2. Apply for funder APC budgets. Major funders including NIH, Wellcome Trust, ERC, and the European Commission include APC costs in grant budgets. Request APC funding in your next grant application.
3. Target diamond open access journals. These journals charge no APCs to authors or readers. They are funded by institutions, societies, or government subsidies.
4. Consider “subscribe to open” models. Some journals are converting from subscription to open access without charging APCs, supported by library subscriptions.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Why do journals charge APCs?
Journals incur costs for editorial staff, peer review management, typesetting, hosting, archiving, and marketing. In subscription journals, readers (through libraries) pay these costs. In open access journals, authors (or their funders) pay instead.
Are APCs refundable if my paper is rejected?
Reputable journals charge APCs only after acceptance. If a journal demands payment at submission or before acceptance, it is a predatory publisher. Always verify the payment timing.
Can I get a waiver if I am not from a low-income country?
Some journals offer discretionary waivers for unfunded researchers or those experiencing financial hardship. Contact the editorial office with a brief explanation of your situation.
Do all open access journals charge APCs?
No. Diamond open access journals charge no APCs. However, the majority of full OA journals do charge APCs as their primary revenue source.
Are hybrid journal APCs different from full OA journal APCs?
Hybrid journals (subscription journals that also offer OA options) often charge higher APCs than full OA journals — typically $3,000-$5,000 versus $1,000-$2,500 for full OA. This is known as the “hybrid premium.”