APC Waiver Policy
JORMAR believes that the ability to pay should never be the deciding factor in whether high-quality, original research is published. This waiver policy ensures equitable access to publication for all qualifying researchers.
1. Waiver Categories
| Category | Waiver Level | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Early-Career Researcher | Up to 50% | Within 5 years of completing a doctoral degree; demonstrated financial need |
| National Priority Research | Up to 100% | Research aligned with RMRDC's current strategic priority areas |
| Invited Review Article | 100% | Commissioned directly by the Editor-in-Chief |
| Least Developed Country (LDC) | Up to 100% | Corresponding author affiliated with an institution in a UN-designated LDC |
| RMRDC Staff / Affiliates | Case-by-case | Active RMRDC staff or researchers on RMRDC-funded projects |
2. How to Apply for a Waiver
- Complete the waiver request section during manuscript submission in the online portal.
- Select the applicable waiver category and provide a brief justification (100–200 words).
- Upload supporting documentation:
- Early-career researchers: copy of doctoral degree certificate or transcript showing date of award
- LDC authors: letter from institutional head confirming affiliation
- RMRDC affiliates: RMRDC employee ID or project affiliation letter
- Waiver applications are reviewed by the Managing Editor within 5 working days of submission.
- The outcome of the waiver application does not influence the editorial decision on the manuscript.
3. Important Conditions
- Waiver applications must be submitted at the time of manuscript submission, not after a decision has been made.
- Waivers are granted solely on the basis of financial eligibility, not on the basis of the manuscript's quality or likely outcome.
- Waivers are not automatically granted — applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis subject to available budget.
- Providing false information in a waiver application will result in rejection of the manuscript and may be reported to the author's institution.
- Partial waivers (discounts) may be offered where a full waiver is not possible.
4. Waiver Decisions Are Independent of Editorial Decisions
Waiver decisions are made by the Managing Editor and are entirely separate from the editorial process. Reviewers and editors are not informed of whether a waiver has been requested or granted. The editorial decision is made solely on the scientific merit of the manuscript.
Policy effective: 2026 | Reviewed annually | Waiver queries: [email protected]