1. APC Policy Overview
Transformative Society is dedicated to providing high-quality open access avenues for the latest research in both social and natural sciences. Our mission is to ensure equitable access to cutting-edge and pioneering academic advancements for all. To sustain our operations and maintain the quality of our services, we impose Article Processing Charges (APC) on accepted manuscripts. This document outlines our APC policies, including base rates, regional adjustments, specific section charges, and discounts for particular author groups.
2. Base APC Rates
| Content Type |
Least Developed Countries |
Developing Countries |
Developed Countries |
| Research Article/Review/Perspective |
$449 |
$1149 |
$1449 |
| Research Reports/Reusability Reports/Book Review/Consensus Statement |
$349 |
$949 |
$1049 |
| Correspondence/Comment/News & Views |
$149 |
$649 |
$849 |
Country Classification: The classification of countries follows the United Nations' World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report. Below are examples of country classifications:
- Developed Countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, France, South Korea, etc.
- Developing Countries: China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, etc.
- Least Developed Countries and Low-Income Countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Haiti, Mozambique, Nepal, Ethiopia, Rwanda, etc.
For a complete and updated list, please refer to the United Nations WESP report.
3. Student Author Discount
Transformative Society offers a 30% discount on APC for manuscripts where the corresponding author is a student. This discount applies in addition to the base APC rates. For instance, if a Research Article from a developing country with a student corresponding author is accepted, the APC would be calculated as follows:
Calculation Example:
| Description |
Amount |
| Base APC Rate (Developing Country) |
$1149 |
| Student Discount (30%) |
-$344.7 |
| Total APC |
$804.3 |
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the student discount, the corresponding author must be a currently enrolled student. Proof of student status, such as a valid student ID or enrollment verification, must be provided during the proofing stage. Failure to provide verifiable student status will result in the forfeiture of the discount.
4. Fast Track Policy
We fully understand the desire of authors to expedite the publication of their research. At Transformative Society, we uphold the importance of rapid knowledge dissemination. Our journal typically processes accepted manuscripts within three months and publishes them online within 30 days post-acceptance on Google Scholar. However, for authors seeking expedited processing, we offer a Fast Track service for an additional fee of $600. This service ensures the following expedited timeline:
| Service Aspect |
Standard Timeline |
Fast Track Timeline |
| Submission to Initial Decision |
14 working days |
7 working days |
| Reviewer Invitation |
3 working days |
2 working days |
| Peer Review |
4 to 6 weeks |
3 to 4 weeks |
| Final Decision to Publication |
2 months |
1.5 months |
Refund Policy for Fast Track:
- If a manuscript is rejected at the initial decision stage, 80% of the Fast Track fee ($480) will be refunded.
- If a manuscript is rejected after peer review, 30% of the Fast Track fee ($180) will be refunded.
- If a manuscript is accepted, no refund will be provided.
How to Apply for Fast Track: To request Fast Track processing, please indicate your preference in the cover letter during manuscript submission. Our dedicated editorial team will respond promptly and issue an invoice. Upon payment confirmation, your manuscript will immediately enter the Fast Track pipeline.
