Source of Funding and Fee Details for Authors

Source of Funding and Fee Details for Authors

1. Source of Funding

The Meritorious Journal of Social Sciences and Management (MJSSM) operates with a transparent and sustainable funding model to ensure editorial independence, academic integrity, and high-quality publishing standards. The primary sources of financial support for the journal are as follows:

  • Article Processing Charges (APC): The journal charges APCs for articles that are accepted for publication. These fees cover editorial review, peer review coordination, typesetting, manuscript formatting, DOI registration, website maintenance, digital preservation, and online/print dissemination.
  • Institutional Support: The journal receives partial operational support from affiliated academic institutions, ensuring smooth editorial and administrative workflow management.
  • Voluntary Sponsorships and Partnerships: The journal occasionally accepts financial contributions from scholarly institutions, research organizations, and academic bodies that align with the journal’s open-access goals. These contributions help support the journal’s outreach programs and its open-access publishing model.
  • Print Subscription Revenue: Income generated from optional print subscriptions helps cover costs related to printing and physical distribution. This is available for readers and authors who wish to receive a printed version of the journal.
  • No Commercial Advertising: MJSSM does not accept any commercial advertising or external funding that may influence editorial decisions or compromise the neutrality and objectivity of the research published.

2. Fee Details for Authors

The Meritorious Journal of Social Sciences and Management (MJSSM) maintains a fair, transparent, and author-friendly fee structure to support the quality of publication and ensure sustainability. The journal’s fee structure is designed to be accessible to authors while covering the necessary costs of the publishing process.

  • Article Processing Charges (APC) for Accepted Papers
    PKR 18,000 / USD 75
    This charge is applied to accepted manuscripts and covers the costs associated with editorial review, plagiarism screening, peer review management, typesetting, DOI registration, and online hosting. The APC ensures that the article is accessible worldwide through the open-access model.
  • Submission Fee
    No submission fee is required when authors submit their manuscripts through the OJS system. Authors can submit their work without financial barriers during the initial submission phase.
  • Optional Print Copies
    Cost per Print Copy: PKR 2,500 / USD 12
    Printed hard copies of the journal are available upon request. Authors can request print copies of their published article for personal or institutional use. This service is optional and is available for an additional cost, covering printing and shipping fees.
  • Optional Fast-Track Review Service
    Fast-Track Fee: PKR 12,000 / USD 50
    Authors can choose the fast-track review option, which ensures an expedited evaluation process. This service provides an initial editorial decision within 7–10 working days. However, authors should note that choosing the fast-track option does not guarantee acceptance.

3. Waiver & Discount Policy

To ensure that publishing in MJSSM remains accessible to all, the journal offers several waiver and discount programs:

  • 50% APC Discount for Student Authors
    Authors who are students (with valid academic identification) are eligible for a 50% discount on the APC, supporting early-career researchers in their academic publishing journey.
  • Full or Partial Waivers for Authors from Low-Income Regions
    The journal offers full or partial waivers for authors from low-income countries or authors who do not have research funding. These requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and should be submitted formally for review.
  • Special Discounts for Invited Manuscripts
    Authors contributing high-impact research, conference papers, or articles from academic collaborations are eligible for special discounts on APCs. This discount is offered for invited submissions that contribute to the journal’s thematic issues or strategic objectives.

4. Payment Methods

Authors can conveniently pay their publication-related fees through the following channels:

  • Bank Transfer: Authors can pay via direct bank transfers for domestic or international payments.
  • Easypaisa / JazzCash (for authors in Pakistan): A convenient payment option for local authors to make payments via mobile money services.
  • PayPal (for international authors): Authors from outside Pakistan can use PayPal to make secure online payments.
  • Official Invoice: An official invoice will be issued to authors after their manuscript is accepted for publication. This invoice includes the fee breakdown and payment instructions for the relevant charges.

Summary of Fees

  • Article Processing Charge (APC):
    • PKR 18,000 / USD 75
      This fee covers editorial review, peer review, plagiarism screening, manuscript formatting, DOI registration, and online hosting.
  • Submission Fee:
    • Free
      No fee for manuscript submission through the OJS system.
  • Optional Print Copies:
    • PKR 2,500 / USD 12 per copy
      Available upon request for authors who want hard copies of their work.
  • Optional Fast-Track Review:
    • PKR 12,000 / USD 50
      Expedited review process, with decision within 7–10 working days.