Fee Waiver Request
Financial Support for Researchers
JCRELC is committed to making research accessible to all scholars, regardless of financial circumstances. We offer fee waivers and discounts to support researchers who face financial constraints in publishing their work.
The Journal of Creative Research in English Literature and Culture (JCRELC) recognizes that financial barriers can prevent talented researchers from sharing their work. Our fee waiver program is designed to ensure that no qualified research is turned away due to inability to pay publication fees.
1. Eligibility Criteria
Fee waivers are available to authors who meet one or more of the following criteria:
Geographic Location
- Corresponding author based in a low-income or lower-middle-income country (as defined by the World Bank)
- Researchers from developing nations with limited research funding
- Authors from institutions with limited financial resources
Career Stage
- Early-career researchers (within 5 years of PhD)
- Graduate students (Master's or PhD candidates)
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Independent scholars without institutional funding
Financial Hardship
- Lack of institutional or grant funding for publication
- Personal financial constraints
- Economic hardship due to institutional budget cuts
- Unemployment or underemployment
Promotional Contribution
- Willingness to promote JCRELC on social media handles
- Ability to review research work in your area of expertise
- Contribution to journal branding and visibility
- Active engagement with the academic community
Note: Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Meeting one or more criteria does not guarantee a waiver, but all applications are carefully considered.
2. Types of Waivers
Partial Waiver
Reduction of APC by 50%
- For early-career researchers
- For authors from lower-middle-income countries
- For reviewers with limited review history
Full Waiver
100% waiver of APC
- For authors from low-income countries
- For authors with severe financial hardship
- For active reviewers with 5+ completed reviews
- Promotional Contribution: Willingness to promote JCRELC on social media handles, review research work, and contribute to journal branding
Discount
Reduction of APC by 20-30%
- For reviewers with 1-4 completed reviews
- For authors from institutional partner institutions
- For early-career researchers with partial funding
Full Waiver Commitment: Recipients of full waivers are expected to actively promote JCRELC on their social media handles, review research work in their area of expertise, and contribute to the journal's branding and visibility efforts.
3. Promotional Contribution
Full waiver recipients are expected to contribute to JCRELC's growth and visibility through the following activities:
Social Media Promotion
Share JCRELC publications, calls for papers, and journal updates on your professional social media handles (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram).
Research Review
Review research work in your area of expertise, providing constructive feedback to fellow researchers and contributing to the journal's peer review process.
Journal Branding
Mention JCRELC in your professional network, recommend the journal to colleagues, and help build the journal's reputation in the academic community.
Academic Networking
Share JCRELC opportunities with your academic network, including calls for papers, special issues, and editorial board invitations.
Note: The extent of promotional contribution is discussed and agreed upon based on the applicant's expertise, network, and availability. This commitment is part of the full waiver agreement.
4. Application Process
Manuscript Acceptance
Submit your waiver request after your manuscript has been accepted for publication. Waiver requests are not considered before acceptance.
Complete Application Form
Fill out the fee waiver request form with your personal information, manuscript details, and waiver justification. For full waiver, include your promotional contribution plan.
Submit Documentation
Provide supporting documentation as outlined in the required documentation section below.
Review and Decision
The editorial office reviews your application and communicates the decision within 5-7 working days.
5. Required Documentation
To process your waiver request, please provide the following documentation:
Required Documents
- Waiver Application Form: Completed and signed
- Proof of Affiliation: Institutional ID or letter
- Income/Financial Statement: For hardship cases
- Country of Origin: Passport or ID copy
- Career Stage Proof: Degree certificate or employment letter
- Promotional Plan: For full waiver applicants (social media handles, network details)
Additional Documents
- Grant/Funding Statement: If available
- Supervisor Letter: For early-career researchers
- Institutional Statement: Confirming lack of funding
- Reviewer Record: For reviewer discounts
- Social Media Links: For promotional commitment
Note: All documents will be handled with strict confidentiality and used solely for waiver assessment purposes.
6. Review Process
What We Consider
- Financial Need: Demonstrated inability to pay
- Geographic Location: Country income classification
- Career Stage: Early-career or student status
- Funding Availability: Lack of institutional or grant support
- Research Quality: Scientific merit of the manuscript
- Reviewer Contribution: Number of reviews completed
- Promotional Potential: Social media reach and academic network (for full waiver)
Decision Makers
- Editor-in-Chief: Final decision authority
- Managing Editor: Initial assessment and recommendation
- Editorial Board: Consultation for complex cases
- Finance Committee: Budget considerations
7. Timeline
Working Days for Acknowledgment
Working Days for Initial Review
Working Days for Final Decision
Working Days for Complete Process
Important: Requests submitted during peak periods may experience slightly longer processing times. Urgent requests will be expedited.
8. Confidentiality
JCRELC treats all fee waiver requests with the utmost confidentiality. The following measures are in place:
Data Protection
All personal and financial information is stored securely and protected from unauthorized access.
Limited Access
Only designated editorial staff have access to waiver request information.
Non-Disclosure
Information is not shared with reviewers or external parties under any circumstances.
Privacy Assurance: Your waiver request status does not affect the peer review process. Reviewers are not informed of waiver requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Questions About Fee Waivers?
If you have any questions about fee waivers, eligibility, or the application process, please contact our editorial office.
+91-7665235235
Please include "Fee Waiver Query" in your email subject line for faster response.
Need Financial Support?
Apply for a fee waiver and share your research with the world. JCRELC is committed to supporting scholars regardless of financial circumstances.