Article Processing Charges
Transparent, competitive pricing supporting open access marine science publication.
Invest in Ocean Research Visibility
The International Marine Science Journal operates on an open access model where article processing charges (APCs) replace traditional subscription fees. This ensures your marine research is freely accessible to scientists, policymakers, and conservationists worldwide without subscription barriers.
Our APC structure is designed to be transparent and competitive, with multiple pathways to reduce or waive fees for researchers facing financial constraints.
Original Research
Full-length research articles, systematic reviews, and comprehensive methodology papers advancing marine science.
Standard Articles
Case studies, short communications, technical notes, and focused research reports in oceanography and marine biology.
Letters & Notes
Research letters, brief technical notes, and preliminary findings requiring rapid dissemination to the marine science community.
Rigorous Peer Review
Expert evaluation by marine scientists, oceanographers, and coastal researchers ensuring methodological rigor and scientific validity of your work.
Professional Production
Copyediting, typesetting, XML generation, and formatting to international publishing standards for optimal readability and citation.
Global Distribution
Immediate open access publication with metadata distribution to major indexing services, search engines, and academic databases worldwide.
Permanent Archiving
Long-term digital preservation ensuring your marine research remains accessible for future generations of ocean scientists.
LMIC Waivers: Researchers from low and middle-income coastal nations may qualify for partial or complete APC waivers. IMSJ is committed to ensuring economic barriers do not prevent important marine research from reaching the global scientific community.
| Program | Discount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| IMSJ Membership | 15-30% | Active individual or institutional members |
| LMIC Waiver | 50-100% | Corresponding authors from qualifying countries |
| Editorial Contributors | 25% | Active reviewers and editorial board members |
| Institutional Agreements | 20-35% | Partner universities and research institutions |
APCs are invoiced upon manuscript acceptance, after successful peer review. Authors receive detailed invoices with multiple payment options including credit card, wire transfer, and institutional purchase orders. Payment is typically expected within 30 days of invoice, though extensions are available upon request.
Manuscripts are not published until payment is received or a waiver is approved. Authors experiencing financial difficulties should contact our editorial office before acceptance to discuss available options and avoid publication delays.
ManuscriptZone Portal
Submit through oap.manuscriptzone.net for comprehensive tracking, reviewer communication, and streamlined payment processing upon acceptance.
Simple Submission Form
Use our direct submission form for rapid manuscript upload. Payment details are collected separately after acceptance.
IMSJ does not charge submission fees, and APCs are only invoiced after acceptance. In exceptional circumstances where authors withdraw accepted manuscripts before publication, partial refunds may be considered based on production stage. Once an article is published online, APCs are non-refundable as production and distribution costs have been incurred.
When is the APC charged? APCs are invoiced only after your manuscript has passed peer review and been accepted for publication. There are no submission or review fees.
Can my institution pay? Yes, most research institutions have mechanisms for paying open access APCs. We provide formal invoices suitable for institutional processing and can work with purchasing departments on timing requirements.
Are there hidden fees? No. The quoted APC covers all standard publication services including color figures, supplementary materials, and standard article lengths. Excessively long manuscripts may incur additional page charges.
Many universities maintain open access publication funds to support researcher APCs. Check with your institution library or research office about available support programs before submission. We can provide documentation required for institutional funding applications upon request.
All APCs are quoted in US dollars. We accept major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Wire transfers are available for institutional payments, with bank details provided on invoices. Institutional purchase orders are accepted from universities and research organizations with established credit. Payment plans may be arranged for individual researchers facing financial constraints.
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Submit your marine research and join the global ocean science community.
