APC & Waiver Policy

To support high-quality open access publishing, CSGS applies a transparent Article Processing Charge (APC) model focused on sustainability and global equity.

Article Processing Charge

USD 500

Applied only to accepted manuscripts. There are:

  • NO Submission Fees
  • NO Review Fees
  • NO Hidden Charges

What the APC Covers

The APC ensures your research meets the highest publication standards through:

• Editorial Management
• Professional Copyediting
• DOI Registration
• Digital Archiving
• Global Indexing
• CC BY 4.0 Hosting

Editorial Independence

Decisions are made solely on academic merit. The peer review process is completed before any payment is requested. Authors' ability to pay does not influence the acceptance or rejection of manuscripts.

Waiver and Discount Policy

CSGS promotes equitable global participation. Waivers are granted based on the following criteria:

1. Low-Income Countries

Authors from World Bank-classified low-income economies are eligible for a Full Waiver (100%).

2. Lower-Middle-Income

Authors from lower-middle-income economies are eligible for a Partial Waiver (up to 50%).

3. Financial Hardship

Individual waiver requests are considered for authors without institutional funding or those in special circumstances.

4. Special Editorial Initiatives

Waivers may be offered for invited keynote contributions, special issue initiatives, and Global South climate research programs. All waiver requests must be submitted at the time of manuscript submission.

Transparency Commitment

The APC amount (USD 500) is fixed and clearly displayed. No hidden fees apply. Any future adjustments to APC rates will be publicly announced at least six months in advance.