APC Policy

Conscientia Beam (CB) charges publication fees to cover essential operational costs associated with the publishing process. These fees support manuscript handling, peer review, copy-editing, typesetting, electronic production, hosting and archiving, server and website maintenance, as well as administrative and overhead expenses.

Article Processing Charge (APC) Discount Policy

To foster inclusive and equitable access to scholarly publishing, Conscientia Beam provides a range of APC discounts for eligible authors. These discounts are designed to support authors from under-resourced institutions, early-career researchers, and contributors to the academic community.

Important:
All discount applications must be submitted after the manuscript has been accepted for publication. Authors must provide relevant supporting documents, and discounts will be granted only upon verification of eligibility.

1. Authors from Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Authors affiliated with institutions located in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as defined by the United Nations are eligible for a 50% APC discount.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • All co-authors must have their primary institutional affiliation in a recognized LDC at the time of manuscript acceptance.
  • Required documentation includes institutional email addresses, letters of affiliation, or institutional ID cards.
  • The list of eligible LDCs includes (but is not limited to):
    Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia.

2. Student Authors

To support early-career researchers, students from any country who face financial constraints may apply for a 50% discount on Article Processing Charges (APC).

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must:

  • Be the corresponding author of the manuscript.
  • Provide valid proof of student status (e.g., university ID or enrollment certificate).
  • Submit a short statement explaining their financial need.
  • Ensure that the majority of the manuscript’s authors are students.

3. Editorial Board Members and Active Reviewers

To recognize their service, editorial board members and active peer reviewers may receive a 15% APC discount.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a current editorial board member OR
  • Must have completed at least one high-quality peer review for the journal within the last 12 months.
  • Verification will be conducted by the editorial office.

This discount may be combined with institutional discounts (see Section 4) but not with other author-level discounts (e.g., LDC or student discounts).

4. Institutional Members and Top-Ranked Universities (QS Ranking)

If your institution is:

  • A registered institutional member of Conscientia Beam, OR
  • Listed as a top global university in the QS World University Rankings,

You may be eligible for an APC discount ranging from 1% up to 40%.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The corresponding author must have a primary affiliation with the qualifying institution.
  • The level of discount will depend on the institution’s membership tier or QS rank.
  • Proof of affiliation and institutional status will be required (e.g., institutional email, official affiliation letter).

Please contact the editorial office to inquire about your institution’s membership or ranking eligibility.

How to Apply for a Discount

  1. Wait until your manuscript is accepted for publication.
  2. Contact the editorial office via [waiver@conscientiabeam.com] and request the Discount Application Form.
  3. Submit the completed form with all necessary documentation.
  4. The editorial team will review your application and notify you of the final APC amount after discount.

General Terms

  • Discounts are not cumulative, unless otherwise specified (e.g., reviewer/editorial discount may be combined with institutional discount).
  • Discounts will not be granted retroactively after payment.
  • All discounts are subject to verification and approval by the editorial office.
  • The final decision on discount eligibility rests with Conscientia Beam.


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