Article Processing Fees (APC)

Overview

Sentam Research and Publishing operates on an open access model to ensure maximum accessibility and impact of published research. Our fee structure is designed to cover the costs associated with peer review, editorial processing, and open access publication while maintaining affordability for researchers worldwide.

Fee Structure

Standard Article Processing Charges

Note: Manuscript length excludes Abstract, References, and Supplementary Materials

Fast-Track Publishing Option

For authors who need expedited publication, we offer a Fast-Track Publishing Service that guarantees publication within 2 weeks of acceptance:

• Additional Fee: $25 USD (added to standard APC)
• Publication Timeline: Within 14 days of receipt
• Activation: Available during submission or before review begins
• Eligibility: All manuscript types and lengths
• Process: Expedited editorial and production workflow

Developing countries as classified by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s low- and middle-income countries list

What's Included

Your APC covers:

• Professional peer review process
• Editorial services and manuscript preparation
• Open access publication with DOI assignment
• Long-term digital preservation and hosting
• Indexing and discovery services

Payment Process

When to Pay

Payment is required only after your manuscript has been accepted for publication. You will receive a payment notification with detailed instructions once the peer review process is complete and your manuscript is approved.

Payment Methods

Payments can be made through your Author Dashboard or Manuscript Tracking Area:

• Credit/Debit Cards Visa, MasterCard, American Express
• PayPal - Secure online payments worldwide
• M-Pesa - Mobile money payments for East Africa
• Bank Transfer: Direct bank transfers (details provided upon acceptance)

Payment Timeline

1. Manuscript Acceptance → Payment notification sent immediately
2. Payment Processing:

• PayPal, Cards, M-Pesa: Immediate confirmation
• Direct Bank Transfer: Up to 24 hours (if not received, contact editor@sentam.org)

1. Publication:

• Standard Process: Within 7 days after payment confirmation
• Fast-Track Process: Within 14 days of acceptance (expedited workflow)

Note: Publication timelines assume all author revisions are complete and no further editorial changes are required

How to Activate Fast-Track Publishing

During Submission:

1. Select "Fast-Track Publishing" option in the submission form
2. Pay the additional $25 USD fee along with standard APC
3. Your manuscript will be prioritized throughout the review process

After Submission (Before Review):

1. Log into your Author Dashboard
2. Navigate to your submitted manuscript
3. Click "Upgrade to Fast-Track" and pay the additional fee
4. Your manuscript will be moved to the fast-track queue

Important Notes:

• Fast-track cannot be activated once peer review has begun
• The $25 fee is non-refundable once activated
• Fast-track manuscripts receive priority in editorial processing
• All standard quality standards and peer review requirements apply

Fee Waiver Policy

Eligibility

Fee waivers are available for:

• Authors from UN-classified Least Developed Countries experiencing financial hardship
• Graduate students with demonstrated financial need
• Authors facing exceptional circumstances

Application Process

1. Include fee waiver request in your manuscript cover letter
2. Provide supporting documentation (student ID, institutional letter, or hardship statement)
3. Editorial team review within 5-7 business days
4. Notification of waiver decision

Contact Information

Payment & Billing Support: support@sentam.org

Fee Waiver Inquiries: editor@sentam.org

General Support: support@sentam.org

Payment Security

All transactions are secured with:

• SSL encryption and PCI DSS compliance
• Secure payment gateway integration
• No storage of sensitive payment information

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For complete submission guidelines and editorial policies, visit our Author Resources section.