Article Processing Charges (APCs)
Transparent open-access investment for authors in biotechnology and biomedical science—ensuring rapid, ethical, and global dissemination of peer-reviewed research.
Invest in Rigorous, Visible, and Ethical Publishing
The Journal of Biotechnology and Biomedical Science (JBBS) operates as a fully open-access journal so that every accepted manuscript is immediately available to clinicians, laboratory scientists, engineers, policy makers, and patient communities worldwide. Our Article Processing Charge (APC) is USD $3000, billed only once your manuscript is formally accepted. This single fee sustains the complete publication lifecycle—from expert peer review and professional editing to digital archiving, platform development, indexing outreach, and long-term content stewardship under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).
APCs are essential for maintaining the editorial infrastructure that authors expect from a trusted international journal: a 28-day average processing time, 41% acceptance rate grounded in quality, and a highly responsive editorial office that guides authors through each decision point. By contributing to the APC, you directly support the people, technology, and quality safeguards that keep JBBS at the forefront of translational biotechnology publishing.
Publishing in JBBS is an investment in a scholarly ecosystem purposely designed for biotechnology and biomedical innovators. The APC sustains the expertise, technology, and outreach required to move your work from manuscript submission to citation-ready publication with integrity. Each accepted article benefits from the following services:
Specialized Peer Review Management
Editorial triage, section editor assignment, double-checking of reviewer expertise, conflict-of-interest monitoring, reviewer honoraria, and post-review synthesis to deliver fair and decisive outcomes within a median of two editorial cycles.
Scientific Editing & Production
Professional language editing, figure quality checks, reference validation, layout in both HTML/XML and PDF formats, QA for digital accessibility, and DOI assignment through Crossref to ensure persistent discoverability.
Platform & Technology Investment
Continuous development of the ManuscriptZone submission portal, secure hosting, redundancy backups, performance optimisation, and integration with scholarly APIs (Crossref, ORCID, indexing databases).
Global Indexing & Promotion
Metadata syndication to major indexing services, Google Scholar optimisation, XML delivery for institutional harvesters, social media visibility, special issue spotlights, and targeted outreach to biotechnology communities.
Compliance & Ethics Oversight
Support for COPE-aligned best practices, plagiarism screening (iThenticate), ethics board documentation checks, clinical trial registration verification, and post-publication correction workflows (CrossMark).
Long-Term Preservation
Persistent archiving, file format updates, digital preservation partnerships, and ongoing site maintenance to guarantee enduring access to your work, even as technologies evolve.
JBBS keeps the APC framework straightforward: a single fee payable only after editorial acceptance. There are no submission charges, color figure fees, or page surcharges. The table below summarises the current structure.
| Item | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard APC | $3000 USD | Charged post-acceptance for all article types (research, reviews, case reports, perspectives, special issue contributions) |
| Submission Fee | $0 | No submission, processing, or color figure charges prior to acceptance |
| Waiver/Discount | Up to 25% | Available through the JBBS Waiver Program 2025; assessed upon request |
| Withdrawal Fee | 50% of APC | Applies if a manuscript is withdrawn more than three days after submission while still under review |
| Membership Offset | Varies | JBBS membership plans can cover multiple APCs; see Membership page for pricing |
| Payment Window | 15 calendar days | Invoice issued upon acceptance; extensions available with prior approval |
You receive a formal decision letter, reviewer feedback, and production checklist. APC discussion begins only after final acceptance, never during peer review.
A secure payment link and bank transfer instructions are sent to the corresponding author. Institutions can request purchase orders or vendor registration details.
Authors complete payment via credit card, wire transfer, or institutional payment gateway. Waiver decisions are communicated in writing and reflected on the invoice.
Language polishing, figure checks, layout, and proof generation begin immediately after payment confirmation (or waiver approval). Authors typically review proofs within 5 business days.
Accepted articles publish within two business days of final proof sign-off, triggering DOI registration, metadata syndication, and promotional outreach.
Need additional time? Notify [email protected] if payment processing requires longer than 15 days; we coordinate with finance departments to prevent delays.
We recognise that access to publishing funds varies across regions and career stages. JBBS provides structured support to ensure qualified research reaches the community while keeping the journal financially sustainable. Authors can combine the following options:
JBBS Waiver Program 2025
Eligible authors may receive up to 25% discount on the APC. Priority is given to corresponding authors from low- and middle-income countries, early-career PIs without grant funding, and multi-institution collaborations advancing critical biotechnology solutions. Requests must be submitted before or at acceptance via [email protected] with a brief funding statement.
Institutional or Consortial Support
Universities, hospitals, foundations, and industry sponsors can cover APCs directly. JBBS provides vendor onboarding documentation, W-9/W-8BEN forms, and multi-invoice summaries for institutions supporting multiple authors. Co-author cost-sharing agreements can be formalised on request.
Membership-Based Publishing
Frequent contributors can reduce per-article costs through JBBS membership plans, which bundle multiple APCs and include benefits such as fast-track query resolution and promotional support. Review the membership page for individual, institutional, and society packages.
The APC is not a simple transaction; it is a partnership in amplifying your research. JBBS amplifies accepted articles through multiple visibility channels designed to reach interdisciplinary audiences and citation networks:
- Robust discoverability: Search-optimised article pages, structured abstracts, keywords aligned with biotech and biomedical taxonomies, and schema markup for Google Scholar and Crossref.
- Targeted promotion: Social media campaigns, newsletter features, special issue spotlights, and tailored outreach to relevant laboratories, societies, and policy groups.
- Global accessibility: No paywalls; readers can download PDF or XML versions instantly, encouraging reuse in teaching, policy briefs, and clinical protocols.
- Data and code integration: Support for linking datasets, repositories, video methods, and supplementary files to maximise transparency and reuse.
- Ethical assurance: COPE-driven corrections and retractions policy, ensuring that the scholarly record remains trustworthy.
Author Success Partner
A dedicated editorial coordinator remains available from acceptance through publication, answering production questions, coordinating with data editors, and advising on post-publication amplification.
Proofing & Layout Flexibility
Authors can request minor layout adjustments, add supplementary multimedia, or update funding statements during proof review without incurring additional charges.
Open Metrics Dashboard
After publication, article-level usage data (downloads, shares, and citations) are available through the JBBS metrics dashboard to support grant reporting and impact tracking.
Compliance Guidance
Our team advises on common funder mandates—Plan S, NIH public access policy, and institutional repository requirements—to ensure your work remains compliant.
Do I pay anything before acceptance?
No. JBBS does not collect submission or processing fees. You are invoiced only after the manuscript is formally accepted.
Can I request a staged payment?
Yes. In exceptional cases, we can schedule instalments within a 60-day window or split invoicing across collaborating institutions. Email [email protected] before production begins.
What if I need to withdraw my manuscript?
If you withdraw more than three days after submission, a cancellation charge equal to 50% of the APC applies to cover editorial and reviewer costs already incurred. Withdrawals within the first 72 hours are free of charge.
Does the APC guarantee acceptance?
Absolutely not. We uphold independent peer review and editorial decisions. APCs are only payable once a manuscript passes scientific and ethical evaluation.
Are language editing or formatting upgrades extra?
Standard language polishing, typesetting, and figure formatting are covered by the APC. Authors seeking extended editing beyond what the journal provides can explore the optional Language Editing Service.
Will APCs change?
Any adjustments are communicated at least six months in advance. The current APC ($3000) is valid for manuscripts accepted in the 2024–2025 publishing year.
Can I reuse content elsewhere?
Yes. Under the CC BY 4.0 license, authors retain copyright and can share, adapt, and republish their work with proper attribution, complying with JBBS copyright guidelines.
Where can I see full policies?
Consult the Editorial Policies for peer review, ethics, and data standards, and the Instructions for Authors for formatting and submission details.
JBBS collaborates with authors, grants offices, and finance departments to streamline APC management. Use the quick links below to prepare supporting documents for approvals and reimbursement.
Instructions for Authors
Navigate submission checklists, manuscript templates, and required metadata to streamline acceptance and production.
Access InstructionsCall for Papers
Monitor active special issues, waiver announcements, and thematic funding opportunities aligned with JBBS priorities.
View Current CallsMembership Options
Compare annual and multi-year plans that offer APC waivers or credits for frequent contributors and institutional partners.
Review MembershipsSubmit a Manuscript
Ready to publish? Move directly to the JBBS submission pathway with our ManuscriptZone portal.
Submit NowReady to Publish with JBBS?
We are committed to making your investment in open access count. Engage with our editorial team to discuss waivers, membership packages, or institutional agreements—then move confidently toward submission knowing every stage is supported.
Last updated: September 2025. Policies apply to manuscripts accepted between January 2024 and December 2025. Periodic reviews ensure alignment with industry standards, ethical mandates, and operational costs.
