Article Processing Charge (APC)

Open Access Policy and Article Processing Charges (APC)

In open access publishing, the full texts of published articles are freely available to readers worldwide without delay. Publishing an article in this open access journal is subject to an Article Processing Charge (APC), which covers the journal’s scientific and editorial costs. These include article production, editorial services, technical infrastructure, innovation, electronic archiving (from 2003 onward), and customer service.

 

APC Details

The following publication fees apply:

• Original articles: €500 (VAT included)
• Letters to the Editor: €200 (VAT included)

These fees cover the costs of editorial work, editing, publication (online and print), and long-term archiving.

The corresponding author is responsible for the payment of the APC, either personally or through their institution (or that of a co-author). The APC must be paid after acceptance of the article but before final publication.

Accepted papers will be published according to the current publication queue of Acta Biomedica (i.e., in the next available issue, based on payment order and space availability).

 

Fast Publication Option

A fast-track process may be recommended for:

• High scientific relevance or timely topic (e.g., emerging evidence, rapidly evolving field).
• Author-related timing needs, such as project dissemination requirements, grant deadlines, or academic evaluation timelines.
• Potential for increased visibility, as accelerated publication may support earlier readership and citations.
• Recommendation by the Editorial Board due to scientific or strategic interest.

Acceptance the request is the responsability of the Editorial Board.

Authors requesting fast publication may opt for an additional service at a fee of €1000 (VAT included). This ensures that the article will be published in the available forthcoming issue of Acta Biomedica.

 

Reduced APC Eligibility

A special fee of € 250 (VAT included) is applyed only to:

- Authors from low-income countries (according to World Bank Open Data).

 

Waivers and Free Submissions

The following types of submissions are exempt from APCs:

• Correspondence to the Editor (NOT Letters to Editor)
• Commentaries and Viewpoints (by invitation)
• A maximum of 3 manuscripts per year from certified PhD Students, Medical Residents and other young (under 30 years of age) Health Professionals, see Manuscript categories page

 

Final Proof and “Online First” Publication

Before final publication, authors will receive a final proof from the editorial office for review. Once the proof has been approved and the APC has been paid, the article will be published in the “Online First” section of the journal website. This allows early visibility prior to its assignment to a regular issue.

 

Withdrawal Policy

Authors retain the right to withdraw their article at any stage. However, if withdrawal occurs after editorial and/or peer review, a withdrawal fee of 50% of the APC will apply.

For questions regarding APCs, waivers, or manuscript withdrawal, please contact the Managing Editor, Dr. Valeria Ceci (valeriaceci@mattiolihealth.com)

 

Misconduct, Plagiarism, and AI-related Violations

Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of all references included in their manuscripts. In cases where serious inconsistencies are found—such as non-existent references, fabricated data, or citation of unpublished material—the editorial office reserves the right to suspend or terminate the editorial process at any stage.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of references must be explicitly declared under the Declarations section of the manuscript. The editorial office may conduct verifications both before and after pre-acceptance by the Editor-in-Chief. Manuscripts found to include AI-generated references without disclosure may be subject to immediate suspension.

In the event of confirmed misconduct, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication, or fraudulent citation practices, no refund will be granted for any editorial or publication services already rendered. Furthermore, if the manuscript is withdrawn due to misconduct after acceptance or final processing, the publisher reserves the right to apply a penalty fee equivalent to twice the standard publication fee.

 

 

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ITALIAN RESEARCHERS