Elsevier will use GNI per capita (Atlas method) as the key indicator for determining the APC pricing tier. This is a widely used economic indicator provided by the World Bank and has proved to be a useful, easily available, and annually updated indicator that is closely correlated with other, nonmonetary measures of the quality of life. Please refer to our policy page for more information.

For journals participating in the GPOA pilot, prices are calculated based on a percentage of the list APC according to the geography (country) of the corresponding author. The percentage varies for each group of countries. We set this by using the middle point of each group as a reference. This middle point is determined by comparing it to the starting threshold set for high-income countries by the World Bank.

No, the geo-pricing is calculated based on the country of the corresponding author provided during submission. NB Authors are expected to carefully consider the list and order of authors before submitting their manuscript and provide the definitive list and order of authors at the time of the original submission.

Elsevier does not allow any changes to authorship after submission. Authors are expected to carefully consider the list, order of authors and corresponding author details before submitting their manuscript at the time of the original submission.

Elsevier may grant additional waivers to countries where full waiver policies are currently in place for specific reasons, or in cases where Elsevier is unable to receive payments due to trade sanctions. The article publishing charge that applies is automatically calculated as part of the submission process and will take this into consideration.

Corresponding authors based in upper-middle-income countries and where R&D intensity (domestic expenditure on R&D expressed as a percentage of GDP according to OECD) is below two percent are defined in three different groups based on GNI per capita and will see a different APC geo price based on the GNI per capita of that country ranging from 45 to 90 percent of the APC list price. Please refer to our policy page for country group table.

The list of participating journals can be viewed here.

As China’s R&D intensity (domestic expenditure on R&D expressed as a percentage of GDP according to OECD) is above the policy’s two percent eligibility threshold, the policy is not applicable to Chinese corresponding authors.

Elsevier employs “price logic” to ensure we present you with the best (i.e. lowest) price. You might be eligible for a discount for many reasons including: OA commercial agreements; journals with a payment agreement; society membership discounts; introductory discounts or vouchers. In such cases, the system will automatically show you the lowest price. You can read more about our best price promise approach here.