Fee Waivers and Institutional Discounts

Effective 15 September 2026. JGTSS provides a 50 percent APC reduction for eligible geographic or hardship applicants and for eligible corresponding authors who are researchers of the Center for Surrounding Communication Studies, Peking University, its sole current institutional partner. The publisher has authorized the centre benefit. With the USD 450 base APC, an approved reduction leaves USD 225 payable. Assistance is administered independently of scholarly assessment and never guarantees acceptance.

Geographic and hardship eligibility

A corresponding author whose principal research affiliation and working location at first submission are in a World Bank low-income economy or a United Nations least developed country is eligible to apply for a 50 percent reduction. The journal uses the classification current at first submission and records the applicable list. Eligibility depends on the actual location and affiliation of the research, not citizenship or ethnicity; a temporary address or nominal affiliation does not establish entitlement.

Authors facing substantial financial hardship outside those categories may also apply for a reduction of 50 percent, including an unfunded researcher, displaced scholar or author whose available support has unexpectedly ended. The application briefly explains the funding gap and whether a funder or institution can meet the charge. Only proportionate supporting information is requested. A routine full waiver is not promised under this schedule, and private circumstances are not published with the article.

Applying and receiving a decision

Authors should submit a request before or with their manuscript to jgtssfinance@jandoopress.com. A later application is accepted when circumstances change or a reasonable barrier prevented an earlier request. The request identifies the journal and manuscript, the corresponding author’s actual research affiliation and location, available publication funding, and the type of assistance sought.

The publisher’s designated finance contact assesses the request without sharing hardship records with reviewers. The applicant receives a written decision explaining the approved amount or percentage, the resulting payable APC and any condition or expiry. No reduced amount becomes payable before formal manuscript acceptance. If the author believes material information was overlooked, they may request a review by a different finance decision-maker and provide the relevant evidence.

Institutional arrangements and fair use

The sole current partner is the Center for Surrounding Communication Studies, Peking University. A corresponding author who is a researcher of that centre may receive the publisher-authorized 50 percent reduction. The finance office verifies the author’s actual research relationship through an official centre profile, confirmation from an authorized centre contact or other proportionate evidence. An affiliation with Peking University generally, another university unit, a conference or a research network does not establish eligibility. Authors should apply before invoicing and identify the centre connection and manuscript. The written decision records the verified relationship and USD 225 payable. No other institution is currently covered.

The geographic and institutional reductions do not stack. If more than one ground applies, a single reduction of 50 percent is used; for a USD 450 base APC the payable amount remains USD 225. This is the journal’s new standard assistance schedule. Authors must not change names, order, corresponding-author designation or affiliations to obtain a benefit. The schedule applies to invoices issued on or after 15 September 2026, including unpaid open manuscripts. Earlier unpaid invoices are cancelled and reissued under Article Processing Charges and Refunds. The office notifies authors of changed terms and obtains agreement before any increase over a previously disclosed fee or removal of a previously promised full waiver; authors who decline may withdraw before publication without a fee. Completed payments are not retrospectively surcharged.

Applications and financial questions may be sent to jgtssfinance@jandoopress.com with JGTSS and the manuscript identifier in the subject. The written award states the applicable reduction and the payable amount. An author may ask a different finance decision-maker to review a refusal when eligibility information has been overlooked. The result of that review remains separate from an editorial appeal and is not disclosed to manuscript reviewers.

Last updated: 16 September 2026