Waiver-Eligibility Policy

Frontiers in Interdisciplinary Applied Science

1. Introduction

Frontiers in Interdisciplinary Applied Science (FIAS) aims to support researchers from diverse backgrounds and institutions. This Waiver-Eligibility Policy outlines the criteria and procedures for applying for fee waivers or reductions for authors who face financial hardships or other barriers to publication.

2. Eligibility Criteria

2.1. Financial Hardship

  • Institutional or Regional Financial Constraints: Authors from institutions or regions with limited funding or financial resources may be eligible for a waiver. This includes authors from developing countries or low-income institutions.
  • Personal Financial Hardship: Authors who can demonstrate personal financial difficulties that impact their ability to pay publication fees may also be considered.

2.2. Special Circumstances

  • Early-Career Researchers: PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career researchers may be eligible for waivers if they do not have access to sufficient research funds.
  • Non-Profit Research: Research conducted under non-profit or charitable organizations with limited budgets may qualify for fee reductions or waivers.

3. Application Process

3.1. Requesting a Waiver

  • Submission: Authors seeking a waiver must submit a written request to the editorial office. The request should include:
    • The manuscript ID and title
    • A detailed explanation of the financial hardship or special circumstances
    • Supporting documentation, such as proof of institutional constraints or personal financial statements

3.2. Review and Decision

  • Evaluation: The editorial office will review the waiver request based on the provided information and supporting documentation.
  • Decision: Authors will be notified of the decision within four weeks. If a waiver is granted, it will be applied to the publication fee.

4. Types of Waivers

4.1. Full Waiver

  • Coverage: A full waiver covers the entire publication fee. This is typically granted in cases of significant financial hardship or special circumstances.

4.2. Partial Waiver

  • Coverage: A partial waiver covers a portion of the publication fee. This is available for cases where the author can contribute a part of the fee but requires additional support.

5. Terms and Conditions

5.1. Waiver Limits

  • Number of Waivers: There may be a limit to the number of waivers granted per year based on available resources. Priority is given to authors facing the most significant financial challenges.

5.2. Waiver Revocation

  • Conditions: Waivers may be revoked if the author’s circumstances change or if false information was provided in the waiver request.

6. Confidentiality

All information related to waiver requests will be handled with strict confidentiality. The privacy of the author’s financial and personal information will be protected throughout the process.

7. Appeals

Authors who wish to appeal a waiver decision can submit a formal appeal to the editorial office, including any additional information or documentation that may support their case. Appeals will be reviewed by the editorial board, and a final decision will be communicated to the author.