What is an Article Processing Charge (APC)?
Article Processing Charges (APCs) are fees that publishers charge authors to make their works open access. APCs are a component of a publishing model that shifts costs towards authors.
Does GW Libraries provide funds for Article Processing Charges?
The library does not provide funding for article processing charges.
Do all open access journals require payment of an APC?
No, not all open access journals require APCs. The Directory of Open Access Journals lets you search for open access journals that do not charge fees.
What options do I have for obtaining funds for an APC?
APC funds can be written into a grant proposal. In some cases, departments may provide APC funding.
Is paying an APC the only way to publish Open Access?
No! There are several Open Access models that don’t require an Article Processing Charge:
- Diamond OA - No APC required.
- Green OA - Publish with a traditionally paywalled journal but deposit a version of the article in an institutional repository. Many publisher agreements allow the deposit of the published article or preprint of the article in a public or institutional repository, such as GW's ScholarSpace.
- Gold/hybrid with a waiver (see below for publisher agreements that include waivers).
You can also see what open access options and restrictions various journals have by searching for them in Sherpa Romeo.
Is paying an APC the only way to comply with my funder's requirements?
Many funders, including federal departments and agencies, require that research products be made publicly available or open access. Compliance with these mandates does not mean that you have to publish in a journal that requires author processing charges. Many publishers allow authors to deposit pre- or post-prints of their work in public access repositories. Doing so can satisfy funder mandates, even if the version of record of the work is not open access.
How can I tell whether a journal requires APCs?
Check the journal or publisher website for publishing options. Hybrid journals offer “traditional” and “open access” publishing options; traditional publishing does not generally require an APC. Some open access-only journals require APCs and some do not; if you have questions, please contact us.
The Directory of Open Access Journals lets you search for open access journals that do not charge fees.
You can also see what open access options and restrictions various journals have by searching for them in Sherpa Romeo.
Does GW have any agreements with publishers to waive APCs?
- Cambridge OA Agreement
Publish OA for free in Cambridge Journals - Development
Publish OA for free with 3 Company of Biologists journals (Development, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology). - Journal of Cell Science
Publish OA for free with 3 Company of Biologists journals (Development, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology). - Journal of Experimental Biology
Publish OA for free with 3 Company of Biologists journals (Development, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology). - BMJ Case Reports (more information at Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library)
If the library subscribes to a journal, does that mean I don’t have to pay an APC?
No, not unless GW Libraries has a specific agreement with the publisher (see above).
Does serving as a peer reviewer or editor for a publisher mean I don’t have to pay an APC?
No, unless the publisher has specifically offered this as a benefit for your service.
Where can I find more information?
The ScholarSpace “About Us” page has more info about depositing within the institutional repository. Also take a look at LAI’s Open Access information pages. The Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library maintains a guide to open access publishing at GW which also provides more detail.
