Pharma Research Library (PRL) is committed to promoting academic research and ensuring equitable access to publication opportunities. To support authors from diverse backgrounds, especially those facing financial difficulties, we offer a waiver policy for Article Processing Charges (APCs) or other fees. This policy outlines the eligibility criteria, application process, and terms for fee waivers.
- Low-Income Countries: Authors affiliated with institutions in countries classified as low-income or lower-middle-income by the World Bank.
- Financial Hardship: Authors who demonstrate financial hardship or lack of institutional support for covering APCs.
- Students and Early Career Researchers: Students and early career researchers who do not have access to sufficient funding to cover publication fees.
- Special Circumstances: Authors who are facing unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters, political unrest, or other crises that affect their ability to pay fees.
- Full Waiver: Eligible authors may receive a full waiver, which covers 100% of the article processing charges.
- Partial Waiver: In some cases, authors may qualify for a partial waiver, covering a percentage of the fees (e.g., 50% or 75%).
The decision to grant a full or partial waiver depends on the author’s circumstances and the availability of funds. To apply for a waiver, authors must submit a written request before or during the manuscript submission process. The request should include:
Manuscript Title: The title of the manuscript being submitted.
Corresponding Author’s Details: Name, institution, and contact information.
Justification: A brief explanation of why the waiver is being requested, including financial hardship, country of residence, or other relevant details.
Supporting Documentation: Any supporting documents that can verify the author’s financial situation, such as proof of affiliation with a low-income institution, a letter from the institution confirming the lack of funding, or personal statements in special circumstances.
Waiver requests should be sent to email id: pharmaresearchlibrary@gmail.com with the subject line “Waiver Request”. All waiver applications are handled with strict confidentiality. Information provided in support of a waiver request will only be used for assessing the application and will not affect the editorial decision on the manuscript. The decision to grant or deny a waiver is independent of the peer review process. Waiver requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, and decisions are based on the author’s eligibility and the journal’s available resources. Authors will be informed of the waiver decision within 20 business days after submitting the request. The waiver request will not influence the editorial decision regarding the acceptance or rejection of the manuscript. All manuscripts are evaluated solely on their academic merit. Each manuscript is eligible for only one waiver request. Multiple requests for the same manuscript will not be considered. Waivers must be requested before the invoice for the APC is generated. Retroactive requests (after the invoice has been issued) will not be considered.Waivers are granted based on the availability of funds and the volume of requests received.In some cases, special issues or projects may be fully funded by sponsors, institutions, or grant agencies. If an article is part of such a special issue or project, no APC will be charged, and authors do not need to apply for a waiver. If an author’s waiver request is denied, they may appeal the decision by submitting a written request to the editor-in-chief within 10 days. The appeal will be reviewed by the editorial board, and the author will be notified of the final decision within 20 days.