Article Processing Charges

Heighpubs Otolaryngology and Rhinology (HOR) is a fully open access journal. To cover the costs of high-quality peer review, editorial processes, website hosting, indexing, and archiving, HOR levies Article Processing Charges (APCs). These charges ensure that all published articles remain freely accessible without subscription barriers, in line with DOAJ transparency standards and COPE guidelines.

APC Fee Structure

Article Type APC (USD)
Original Research $2949
Review Articles $2949
Case Reports $2949
Short Communications $2949
Letters to the Editor $2949
Clinical Images $2949

What APCs Cover

  • Rigorous peer review by domain experts
  • Editorial handling and plagiarism checks
  • Copyediting, typesetting, and proofreading
  • Permanent DOI registration (via CrossRef)
  • Long-term digital archiving (Portico and PKP PN)
  • Global indexing in databases (DOAJ, PubMed, Scopus - Evaluation in progress)
  • Free worldwide access without paywalls

Discounts and Waivers

HOR supports inclusive publishing by offering:

  • Waivers: 100% waiver for authors from low-income countries (per World Bank classification).
  • Discounts: Partial reductions for middle-income country authors, students, and early-career researchers.
  • Reviewer Benefits: Active peer reviewers may receive discounts or vouchers for future submissions.
  • Institutional Agreements: APCs may be covered by library consortia or institutional memberships.

Payment Process

Payment is requested after manuscript acceptance. Invoices are sent electronically. Accepted payment methods include:

  • Credit/debit cards (via secure online gateway)
  • Bank transfers
  • Institutional billing arrangements

Refund Policy

APCs are generally non-refundable once peer review has begun. Exceptions are listed in the Refund Policy.

Funder Compliance

HOR complies with open access mandates from major funders such as:

  • NIH (USA)
  • Wellcome Trust
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • European Commission (Horizon Europe)
  • Plan S coalition

Transparency Statement

  • No hidden charges — all fees are listed publicly.
  • No page charges or submission fees.
  • No extra charges for color images or supplementary files.

Example: An author supported by a Horizon Europe grant can directly allocate APCs to HOR and deposit the accepted manuscript in an institutional repository, meeting both funder and journal requirements.

FAQs

When do I pay the APC?

After acceptance and before publication.

Do APCs influence editorial decisions?

No, decisions are based purely on scientific merit and peer review.

Can I request a waiver?

Yes, authors may email the editorial office with proof of eligibility.

Does HOR provide institutional billing?

Yes, HOR can invoice institutions directly upon request.

Contact Information