Waiver-Eligibility Policy

Purpose: The Waiver-Eligibility Policy for Frontiers in Humanities and Social Research outlines the conditions under which authors may apply for a waiver or reduction of publication fees. This policy is designed to support the dissemination of high-quality research by removing financial barriers for authors from low-income countries or those facing financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria:

  1. Geographical Considerations:

    • Authors from low-income and lower-middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank, are eligible to apply for a full or partial waiver of publication fees.
    • Authors from upper-middle-income countries may be eligible for a partial waiver depending on individual circumstances.

  2. Financial Hardship:

    • Authors who are facing temporary financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., loss of employment, natural disasters, etc.) may apply for a waiver. Applicants must provide relevant documentation to support their request.
    • Independent researchers or scholars with limited institutional support may be considered for waivers on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Early-Career Researchers:

    • Early-career researchers, including those pursuing a PhD or who have completed their PhD within the last three years, may be eligible for a partial waiver if they lack sufficient institutional funding.

  4. Special Considerations:

    • Waivers may also be granted based on the potential impact of the research on the field, particularly for studies addressing critical issues in humanities and social research.
    • Collaborative research teams where the majority of authors are from eligible countries or underfunded institutions may apply for a collective waiver.

Application Process:

  1. Submission:

    • Authors should submit a waiver request at the time of manuscript submission. The request must include a cover letter detailing the reasons for the waiver, any relevant supporting documents, and information about the authors' funding sources.

  2. Review:

    • The waiver request will be reviewed by the editorial board and decisions will be made based on the eligibility criteria. The review process typically takes 2-3 weeks.

  3. Notification:

    • Authors will be notified of the decision via email. If a partial waiver is granted, the authors will be informed of the amount they are required to pay.

Limitations:

  • Waivers are granted based on availability of funds and the journal’s capacity. Therefore, not all requests may be accommodated.
  • The decision of the editorial board is final and cannot be appealed.

Transparency and Fairness:

  • Frontiers in Humanities and Social Research is committed to a transparent and fair waiver process, ensuring that all eligible authors have equal opportunity to publish without financial constraints.

Policy Review:

  • This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect the journal's financial standing and commitment to accessibility.