Open Exploration journals publish articles under the model of Gold Open Access. Once published, articles are immediately available for free without restrictions. The journal charges article processing charge (APC) to cover the costs of peer review, editing, typesetting, archiving, journal management, etc. incurred in the process of processing articles, in order to maintain a sustainable open access academic publishing and exchange platform in the long run.
APC fees are only for accepted articles that have been peer-reviewed.
Open Exploration journals do not charge APC within the exemption period from authors, which is the first five years since launched, during which time the APC is wholly financed by Open Exploration. After the exemption period, journals charge an APC fee of $2,000 per article (excluding tax). Exemption period varies by journal, and please check the details in the table below.
Journal title | Exemption period (5 years) | APC |
Feb 1, 2020-Jan 31, 2025 | $2,000; Charges from Feb 1, 2025 | |
Feb 1, 2020-Jan 31, 2025 | $2,000; Charges from Feb 1, 2025 | |
Apr 1, 2021-Mar 31, 2026 | $2,000; Charges from Apr 1, 2026 | |
Aug 1, 2021-Jul 31, 2026 | $2,000; Charges from Aug 1, 2026 | |
Aug 1, 2022-Jul 31, 2027 | $2,000; Charges from Aug 1, 2027 | |
Oct 1, 2022-Sept 30, 2027 | $2,000; Charges from Oct 1, 2027 | |
Feb 1, 2023-Jan 31, 2028 | $2,000; Charges from Feb 1, 2028 | |
Apr 1, 2023-Mar 31, 2028 | $2,000; Charges from Apr 1, 2028 | |
Feb 1, 2023-Jan 31, 2028 | $2,000; Charges from Feb 1, 2028 | |
Apr 1, 2023-Mar 31, 2028 | $2,000; Charges from Apr 1, 2028 | |
Aug 1, 2023-Jul 31, 2028 | $2,000; Charges from Aug 1, 2028 | |
Dec 1, 2023-Nov 30, 2028 | $2,000; Charges from Dec 1, 2028 | |
Feb 1, 2024-Jan 31, 2029 | $2,000; Charges from Feb 1, 2029 | |
Apr 1, 2024-Mar 31, 2029 | $2,000; Charges from Apr 1, 2029 |
We encourage authors to publish on Open Exploration journals and do not want APC fees to be a barrier to scientific publication, especially for authors from low- and middle-income countries. We offer a range of discounts or waivers for authors from low- and middle-income countries. For authors who are otherwise unable to pay the APC fee, we will waive or discount on a case-by-case basis. Authors can contact the Editorial Office at the time of submission to explain the situation and apply for a discount.
If the author is a member of the journal's cooperated association, a 20% discount is available.
Specific discount details and how to apply will be updated on each journal's website before the exemption period ends.
Authors who submit article(s) within the exemption period of journals and the article(s) are eventually accepted for publication will receive a 50% discount on the APC, which will cover part of the APC for publishing an article after the exemption period of journals.
Authors who submit article(s) during the exemption period of journals and the article(s) being recognized as the annual Highly Cited Paper Award will receive a full APC waiver once, which will be able to enjoy free publication for one article after the exemption period of journals.