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Open Access Policy and APC
Inaugural Issue Discount
All articles published in the inaugural issue (2025–2026) are eligible for a 50% discount on Article Processing Charges, as part of BKRF Publications' commitment to fostering a more open and accessible research environment.
Submit now to claim this discountOpen Access Policy at BKRF Publications
- All articles shall be freely accessible globally under the Creative Commons CC-BY license (version 4.0).
- This license allows for copying, remixing, redistribution, and transformation of material for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
- Proper attribution must be given to the author, who retains copyright of the article.
Key Features of Open Access Publishing
- No Reader Fees: Readers can access articles without any charges or subscription barriers.
- Gold Open Access: Articles are immediately available upon publication, with no embargo period.
- Unrestricted Use: Anyone can use, reproduce, or distribute the content, as long as proper credit is given and no significant errors are introduced.
- Author Freedom: After publication, authors can share their articles freely with students or colleagues.
Permissions
Articles published under the CC-BY license allow unrestricted use for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. No special permission is needed for reproducing content, except for figures or tables that belong to another copyright holder (publisher or author), for which specific permissions must be obtained.
Article Processing Charges (APC)
JHHWB offers competitive APC rates, payable by authors or their institutions after the article is accepted. Prepayment does not guarantee acceptance of the manuscript.
APCs cover operational costs and are often funded through research grants or institutional support. APC funds cover essential functions, including publishing operations, peer review, production, editorial fees, marketing, management, and digital preservation.
- There are no fees for rejected articles.
- No submission, length, figure, or supplementary data charges.
- Certain publications — Editorials, Errata, Retractions, and Comments — incur no charges.
APC Allocation
APC pricing is transparent, aligning with Fair Open Access Alliance guidelines and Plan S compliance.
APC Rates — 2025–2026
The table below shows full rates and the discounted inaugural-issue rate (50% off). All APCs are payable after acceptance.
| Article Type | Word Count | INR (₹) | USD ($) | Inaugural INR | Inaugural USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Article | ≤ 3,000 | ₹1,500 | $40 | ₹750 | $20 |
| Review Article | 5,000–10,000 | ₹2,000 | $50 | ₹1,000 | $25 |
| Systematic Review | 5,000–10,000 | ₹2,000 | $50 | ₹1,000 | $25 |
| Research Account | 4,000–6,000 | ₹1,800 | $45 | ₹900 | $23 |
| Research Article | 4,000–6,000 | ₹1,800 | $45 | ₹900 | $23 |
| Research Communication | ≤ 2,500 | ₹1,250 | $30 | ₹625 | $15 |
| Case Report | ≤ 3,000 | ₹1,500 | $40 | ₹750 | $20 |
| Hypothesis and Theory | 3,000–5,000 | ₹1,800 | $45 | ₹900 | $23 |
| Correspondence | 1 page | ₹500 | $13 | ₹250 | $7 |
| Scientific Correspondence | 2 pages | ₹750 | $18 | ₹375 | $9 |
| Editorial | 1,000–1,500 | No APC | No APC | No APC | No APC |
| News | 1.5 pages | ₹500 | $13 | ₹250 | $7 |
| Meeting Report | 2 pages | ₹750 | $18 | ₹375 | $9 |
| Research News | 2.5 pages | ₹1,000 | $25 | ₹500 | $13 |
| Opinion / Perspective | ≤ 3,000 | ₹1,500 | $40 | ₹750 | $20 |
| Commentary | ≤ 3,000 | ₹1,500 | $40 | ₹750 | $20 |
| Book Review | 2 pages | ₹750 | $18 | ₹375 | $9 |
| Personal News | 2.5 pages | ₹1,000 | $25 | ₹500 | $13 |
| Historical Commentary / Notes | 2.5 pages | ₹1,000 | $25 | ₹500 | $13 |
Inaugural rates apply to the 2025–2026 issue only. Regular rates apply thereafter.
Advantages of Open Access Publishing
- Free Access: Articles are freely available, enhancing their visibility and reach.
- Wider Accessibility: Open access allows a broader audience to access articles without fees, increasing search engine and database indexing.
- Increased Citations and Impact: Open access articles typically receive more citations, boosting authors' reputations and research impact.
- Faster Research Progress: The open-access model accelerates the sharing of knowledge, enabling researchers to build on recent findings more quickly.
- Funders' Compliance: Open access publishing aligns with the mandates of many funding organizations, ensuring compliance with their policies.
Discounts and Waivers
BKRF Publications offers APC waivers or discounts to support open access. Waivers or cross-subsidies are available for authors from low- and middle-income countries, based on research quality and financial capacity.
BKRF Publications supports authors from developing countries by offering waivers and discounts based on set criteria.
Payment Methods and Accepted Currencies
APCs are payable in INR, EUR, USD, and GBP within 5 to 10 business days post acceptance. Payment methods include:
- Wire transfer
- Credit card
- PayPal
- Cheques payable to BKRF Publications
To proceed with payment after acceptance, visit the author dashboard or contact the editorial office.
English Editing
Authors must submit manuscripts in proper English. APCs cover minor English editing; extensive editing is discouraged to avoid delays in publication.
Funding of APCs
Many funding agencies allow the use of research grants to cover APCs. Authors should check with their funders regarding permitted uses of grant funds.