Submission fees
Submission fees are a common phenomenon in the fields of economics, finance and accounting: a large number of publishers, societies and journals charge submission fees for submissions in these areas. (Please note that a small number of titles in other subject areas also charge submission fees. In these cases, practices might differ from what is described below. We recommend checking the relevant guide for authors for full details.)
The expectation is that levying a fee will encourage authors to submit their work only if it is well-written, and relevant to the target journal. All the submission fee monies collected by Elsevier journals are “journal community funds”, which means they are reinvested back into the community in various forms; see below for more details.
Elsevier recognizes the community's wide use of submission fees but remains open for dialogue on this issue. Should you have any feedback or suggestions for other ways to use submission fees, please contact Bethan Keall opens in new tab/window, Publishing Director for Economics, Finance & Accounting.
Submission fees at Elsevier
Along with many other journals in the wider community, around 45 of the economics, finance and accounting journals published by Elsevier levy submission fees. If a journal charges submission fees, this is clearly flagged in the journal's guide for authors and during the submission process. As described below, all monies derived from submission fees are used to support the journal(s) and wider community.
Submission fee use and benefits
The submission fee policy for Elsevier’s economics journals is agreed upon by the respective journal’s editors and Elsevier. Each Elsevier journal adopts its own policy and manner in which the submission fee collection and payments are administered (e.g., by Elsevier or by the editorial office). Regardless of the precise method of collecting the fees, all the monies collected are treated as “journal community funds” and are reinvested back into the community in various forms.
In addition to being used in supporting editorial activities, submission fees are also to foster the following initiatives aimed at helping our communities advance in science and their careers:
1. Empowering researchers:
Enhancing access to valuable economic research resources and supporting impactful research by removing financial barriers and providing extensive datasets. For example:
Providing complimentary access to essential databases such as the S&P Global Capital ID database for researchers in Africa1.
Funding the development of data depositories such as Energy Economics opens in new tab/window
(ENEECO)-led data depository2 dedicated to improving access to energy-related datasets and providing valuable insights to researchers and policymakers to help shape the future of energy .
Further information: 1Editors of Emerging Markets Review screened the proposals submitted to African research proposals opens in new tab/window and the authors selected gained access to the S&P Global Capital IQ database opens in new tab/window , one of the premier resources for quantitative research in Africa. To know more about this initiative, contact Lianne Van der Zant opens in new tab/window.
2In June 2023, ENEECO received 19 proposals for their data depository project. Four grants were awarded for research projects over the next three years. Individual grants aim to help create a comprehensive energy database spanning two centuries, providing valuable insights for researchers and policymakers. A special issue in the journal will explain the methodology and initial findings. To learn more about this initiative, contact Ian Smith opens in new tab/window.
2. Enabling inclusion and diversity:
Supporting efforts to achieve gender equality in finance and economics, boost women academics’ careers as economists, and raise awareness of women economists and their contributions across various fields. For example, supporting The Academic Female Finance Committee opens in new tab/window (AFFECT) and Women’s Economic Network opens in new tab/window (WEN)3.
Further information: 3Journal of Financial Economics (FINEC) opens in new tab/window is supporting AFFECT for a two-year funding cycle and UK WEN for three years to promote the advancement of women in the field of finance. To learn more, contact Ian Smith or Lianne van der Zant.
3. Fostering knowledge sharing:
Providing avenues for researchers to connect and exchange ideas. Accelerating scientific progress and innovation by organizing and sponsoring workshops, conferences, and summer schools to facilitate a more collaborative and informed research environment4.
Further information: 4Examples include the annual Theory and Experiments in Monetary Economics conference sponsored by the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization opens in new tab/window; the Camp Resources events sponsored by the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management opens in new tab/window; and the Silvaplana Workshop in Political Economy opens in new tab/window, sponsored by the European Journal of Political Economy opens in new tab/window, the Economic Letters opens in new tab/window summer school, and two different summer schools by the Journal of International Economics. opens in new tab/window
4. Recognizing outstanding research:
Increasing the visibility and impact of researchers who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge in economics. For example:
Funding prizes for best papers, reviewers, and editors. For example, the Journal of Financial Intermediation opens in new tab/window annual best paper award; the annual best paper awards granted by the International Review of Financial Analysis opens in new tab/window; and the Bhagwati Award, a biennial best paper award granted by the Journal of International Economics. opens in new tab/window
Submission fee waivers and discounts
Journals differ in their policies regarding submission fee waivers and discounts. All Elsevier journals that charge a submission fee offer a number of waivers for authors with limited means, and for those from developing countries. Some special issues have their submission fees waived, for instance, all the submissions to the "Covid-19 and the Economy opens in new tab/window" special issue of Finance Research Letters.
Other examples of waivers are for Associate Editors / Editorial Board members and frequent reviewers that submit to the journal as authors, and for authors of solicited contributions, for instance, the Journal of International Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation opens in new tab/window.
Some journals also offer submission fee discounts for students, including the Journal of Public Economics opens in new tab/window.
For details of waivers for a particular journal, please consult the relevant guide for authors, which can be found on the relevant journal homepage, and/or contact the editorial office.
Resources and further reading
Can Highly Selective Journals Survive on APCs? opens in new tab/window, Scholarly Kitchen
Submission fees opens in new tab/window, Cofactor Science