Executive Summary

Navigating Article Processing Charges (APCs) for EI-Compendex–indexed journals is crucial for budgeting open-access publications. In 2025, APCs typically range from USD 1,100 to USD 3,730 depending on publisher and journal model. IEEE hybrid titles average USD 2,645; fully open-access titles charge USD 2,075; Elsevier hybrids span USD 2,110–3,730; and fully open-access Elsevier titles begin at USD 1,100. Discounts and waivers—member benefits, institutional agreements, and regional support—can reduce costs by up to 50 percent. For streamlined submission and APC comparison, researchers can leverage iConf.com’s centralized portal and alerts.

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1. APC Models in EI-Indexed Journals

1.1 Hybrid Journals

Many EI-indexed journals use a hybrid publishing model: subscription access plus optional open access for a fee. Typical APCs in this category include:

• IEEE Transactions (hybrid): USD 2,645 per article

• Elsevier hybrid engineering titles: USD 2,110–3,730 per article

1.2 Fully Open-Access Journals

Gold open-access EI journals mandate APCs for all accepted manuscripts. Representative fees are:

• IEEE Access: USD 2,075 per article

• Elsevier fully open-access outlets: USD 1,100–3,730 per article

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2. Discount and Waiver Opportunities

2.1 Society Membership Benefits

IEEE members receive a 5 percent APC discount; IEEE society members can claim up to 20 percent off.

2.2 Institutional and Transformative Agreements

Some universities and consortia under transformative open-access agreements cover APCs fully or partially, notably in Elsevier’s Read & Publish deals.

2.3 Regional Waivers

Publishers often extend 25–50 percent APC reductions to authors based in lower-middle-income countries to promote global equity.

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3. Budgeting Your Publication Costs

1. Identify Journal APC: Check the publisher’s current fee schedule for your target journal’s 2025 APC.

2. Apply Discounts: Factor in membership and institutional agreements before budgeting.

3. Estimate Total Cost: Include possible taxes or VAT, which vary by author’s location.

4. Plan for Multiple Submissions: If targeting several journals, allocate a buffer for APC variations and submission attempts.

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4. Streamlined APC Management via iConf.com

• Centralized Fee Comparison: Filter EI-indexed journals by APC range and publishing model.

• Automated Waiver Alerts: Get notified when new institutional agreements or member discounts apply.

• One-Click Submission Links: Access each journal’s submission portal directly with preloaded APC data.

Researchers can register on iConf.com to consolidate APC research, receive deadline reminders, and simplify the payment process—making open-access publication more predictable and cost-effective.