Some journals require a fee to be paid in order to make an article open access, called an article processing charge, or APC. This is the case with Gold open access journals that require APCs in order for an article to be published. It is also the case with “hybrid” journals that are subscription-based to read but allow a fee to be paid to make specific articles open access on the publisher’s website at the time of publication.
McGill Libraries do not have a fund for Article Processing Charges (APCs). However, there are additional options for funding:
- APCs are typically an allowable grant expense; check with your funder
- Professional Development Fund for Eligible Academics can be used to cover APCs
- APC Discounts and waivers through McGill Libraries
Finding APC Discounts and Waivers
McGill Libraries have received through agreements with several publishers a number of APC discounts and full waivers. You can search for specific journals and discover whether there is an available APC discount with SciFree Journal Search Tool. This tool contains information on existing waivers and discounts for APCs available to McGill affiliated authors. Note that if you do not find an entry for a journal you are looking for, it does not have an available discount. These discounts are subject to change at any time.
**Note: Please use your [at] mcgill.ca OR @mail.mcgill.ca email when submitting for discounts.**
Search tips:
- Using quotation marks “” around a term will allow you to find an exact phrase
- You can search by journal name, subject area, publisher, and ISSN
- You can also limit to searching a single field, e.g. type imprint: Oxford to retrieve all Oxford University Press journals
- You can filter your search results by payment options, licenses, and publishing models, simply click on the toggle at the top of the column
Questions? Contact us!
List of APC waivers and discounts by publisher
This list allows you to browse APC discounts by publisher. Inclusion on this list does not equal an endorsement by the McGill Libraries.
| Publisher (Hyperlinked to Scifree Search) | discount | Eligible Party | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) - Science Advances |
15% |
Corresponding author |
|
|
$250 USD |
Corresponding author |
This discount applies to hybrid journals and is in addition to any personal membership discounts. Authors must self-identify when submitting. More information can be found on the CRKN website. |
|
|
100% of fellowship fee (does not apply to separate OA fee) |
Corresponding author |
Please email schulich.library [AT] mcgill.ca to receive the code. Note: Must list 'McGill University' as your affiliation when using the code. |
|
|
100% (certain journals only) 25% (additional journals) |
Corresponding author |
100% discount applies to corresponding authors in:
25% discount applies to all CSP Hybrid journals. Note this discount does not apply to the following Gold OA journals: Arctic Science, Drone Systems and Applications, and FACETS. Identify yourself during submission as being affiliated to McGill. |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
Applies to 5 article types: Research Articles, Review Articles, Rapid Communication, Brief Reports, Case Reports. Opt-in after article is accepted. Check journal eligibility. See also choosing an open license with Cambridge (PDF, 3.8 MB). Articles must be accepted before December 31, 2024. |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
From January 1 2024 - December 31 2026 the following Journals have no APC charges for McGill corresponding authors:
Consult this Guide for authors for more information. |
|
|
20% |
Corresponding author |
Authors will be presented with this option during the submission process. See these instructions for obtaining the discount. Read more about the agreement. |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
Authors will be presented with this option during the submission process (like for Gold Journals above). See these instructions for obtaining the discount. Read more about the agreement. |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
Articles submitted after January 1, 2022. Kompass collection journals and Partner Publications are excluded. See How to submit to Karger (PDF, 5.2 MB) |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
Guide for authors. IOP list of eligible journals (XLS, 37 KB) |
|
|
10% |
Affiliated author |
List McGill as your affiliation during submission. Applies also to open book publishing with MDPI. |
|
|
10% |
Corresponding author |
Be sure to use your McGill email during submission. |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
Be sure to use your McGill email during submission. |
|
|
Reduction in fee on immediate OA |
Corresponding author |
Publications charges (see authors from institutions with site-licenses) |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
Several exceptions. See also choosing a Creative Commons license. A select set of journals have page charges which are separate fees from APCs. See SAGE journals with additional charges (PDF, 24 KB). List of Sage Choice journals |
|
|
40% |
Corresponding author |
How to request a discount: SAGE Open Access portal guidelines (PDF, 6.1 MB) |
|
|
15% |
Corresponding author |
Applies to hybrid journals only. The discount is applied automatically upon accepted, articles identified via author affiliation. |
|
|
25% |
Corresponding author |
Applies to Open Select journals. Select McGill as affiliation to obtain discount. |
|
|
100% |
Corresponding author |
Discount applies for hybird journals only, see: List of Eligible Wiley Journals (xlsx). See also instructions on Wiley's site. Must be eligible at point of acceptance, make sure to use McGill institutional email during submission. Articles must be accepted for publication before December 31, 2024. |
These discounts are subject to change at any time.
Contact us with any questions.
