How do open access journals handle page charges and publication fees?

Open access journals typically fund their operations through article processing charges (APCs), also known as publication fees, levied on authors, their institutions, or funders upon article acceptance. This model replaces subscription fees, enabling immediate, free online access to published research. APCs cover the costs associated with rigorous peer review management, professional editing, typesetting, online hosting, archiving, and indexing. Fee structures vary significantly between journals and publishers; some offer waivers or discounts based on geographical location, institutional affiliation, or economic hardship, aiming to ensure equitable publication opportunities. Transparency regarding fee amounts and waiver policies is a core principle expected by the academic community. Some diamond/platinum open access journals operate without APCs, relying instead on institutional subsidies, grants, or volunteer efforts. Authors are informed about applicable APCs during manuscript submission or upon acceptance. Payment is typically required before formal publication. Researchers often incorporate APC costs into grant proposals, or their institutions/funders may have specific agreements (transformative agreements, memberships) with publishers to cover charges. This system shifts the financial burden from readers to producers of research, facilitating wider dissemination and reuse of scholarly outputs.