The SCICONX Journal of Cellular Immunology and Tissue Engineering (JCITE) is a peer-reviewed open-access journal committed to making high-quality interdisciplinary research freely available to the global scientific community. To support open access publishing and maintain rigorous editorial standards, JCITE levies an Article Processing Charge (APC) on accepted manuscripts.

This page outlines all relevant information about APCs, including pricing, what the charges cover, payment procedures, and ethical assurances.

1. What Are Article Processing Charges (APCs)?

Article Processing Charges (APCs) are fees that support the publication of accepted manuscripts in open access journals. Unlike subscription models, where readers pay to access content, open access APCs allow all readers worldwide to access every article free of charge immediately upon publication.

APCs cover essential publishing activities including:

• Managing peer review
• Editorial screening and quality control
• Professional typesetting and formatting
• Long-term digital archiving
• Indexing in major databases
• Online hosting and platform maintenance
• Promotional visibility (e.g., social media, press highlights)

No APC is ever charged unless a manuscript has been accepted for publication following peer review.

2. JCITE APC Structure

2.1 Standard APC

• The Standard article processing charges are 1229 Euros and these APCs are exclusive of any applicable taxes.

Note: Charges apply only after a manuscript has been accepted for publication following peer review.

2.2 What the APC Covers

Once an article is accepted and the APC is paid, the following services are included:

2.2.1 Editorial and Peer Review Management

• Handling by expert editors
• Coordination of independent peer reviews
• Ensuring ethical compliance and scientific rigor

2.2.2 Production Services

• Professional copyediting and layout
• Figure formatting and optimization
• Metadata enhancement for indexing

2.2.3 Online Publishing

• Publication on a stable, searchable platform
• HTML, PDF, and XML formats for broad distribution

2.2.4 Archiving and Discoverability

• Permanent archiving in trusted repositories
• Indexing metadata submitted to major indexing services
• Search engine optimization for discoverability

2.2.5 Promotional Support

• Highlighted placement on JCITE’s platform
• Optional inclusion in press or social media campaigns
• Author widgets for professional profiles

3. When Is the APC Charged?

• APCs are only invoiced after acceptance, never upon submission.
• An official invoice will be issued with payment instructions once the final editorial decision is made.
• Manuscripts rejected after peer review incur no APC.

4. Payment Methods

JCITE accepts APC payments through secure and professional channels, including:

• Credit/Debit Card payments
• Bank transfers
• Institutional purchase orders
• Funder or sponsor remittances

All payments are processed in your selected currency (e.g., USD, EUR, INR) and accompanied by a formal receipt for institutional or funding documentation.

5. Refund Policy

JCITE maintains a transparent refund policy:

• No refund is issued once the APC has been paid and publication has commenced.
• In exceptional cases where publication is delayed due to journal error or ethical concerns, partial refunds may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Refunds do not apply to situations where authors choose to withdraw manuscripts post-acceptance without a valid ethical reason.

6. APC vs. Submission Fees

• JCITE does not charge a submission fee.
• APCs are only applicable upon formal acceptance of manuscripts.

7. Funding Support for APCs

Many funding agencies, institutions, and consortia now include APCs as an allowable expense in research grants. Authors are encouraged to:

✔ Consult their institution’s open access policies
✔ Check with funding agencies about APC coverage
✔ Use institutional membership discounts where available

JCITE can provide formal invoices and documentation if required by funders.

8. Transparency and Ethical Assurance

At JCITE:

• APC decisions are completely independent of editorial and peer review evaluations.
• The charge has no influence on editorial decisions or acceptance outcomes.
• Payment information is handled securely and confidentially.

Transparency and integrity are central to all publication processes.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Does paying the APC guarantee publication?

No. APCs are only charged after acceptance — which is determined through peer review and editorial evaluation based on scientific merit.

Q2: What if I cannot afford the APC?

Apply for a waiver or discount at submission. Decisions on waivers are independent of editorial review.

Q3: Can my institution pay the APC?

Yes. JCITE supports institutional payments and can issue invoices to institutions or funding agencies.

Q4: Are APCs different for review articles?

Standard APC applies to original research and comprehensive review manuscripts. Contact the editorial office for clarification if needed.

10. Withdrawal Policy

SCICONX Publishing respects authors’ rights to request manuscript withdrawal but emphasizes that such requests should be made responsibly due to the significant time and resources invested by editors, reviewers, and the publishing team. Authors may withdraw their manuscript without penalty before peer review begins. During peer review, a valid reason—such as ethical concerns, duplication, or submission errors—must be provided. Post-acceptance withdrawal is strongly discouraged, and submitting the same manuscript to another journal without proper justification is considered unethical and may be reported. To offset editorial and processing efforts, a withdrawal fee equivalent to 40% of the Article Processing Charge (APC) may be applied for requests made after peer review starts. The Editorial Office retains the right to approve or decline withdrawal requests, particularly in cases of suspected misconduct or duplication. SCICONX encourages authors to thoroughly evaluate the journal’s scope and policies prior to submission to minimize unnecessary withdrawal requests, ensuring a smooth and ethical publishing process.

For APC-related queries or special requests, please contact us at: editorialoffice@sciconx.org

11. Contact and Support

For queries about APCs, payment options, or institutional agreements:

✉️ Email: editor.jcte@sciconxjournals.com

Our editorial and administrative teams are available to assist authors around the world.

JCITE’s Article Processing Charges:

✨ Support sustainable open access publishing
✨ Ensure transparent and fair cost allocation
✨ Enable broad distribution and discoverability
✨ Include robust support and waiver policies

We strive to make publishing accessible, ethical, and efficient for authors at every career stage and geographic location.