Article Processing Charges & Pricing Governance
The Journal of Quantum Biosystems Engineering (JQBio) operates as a fully Open Access platform, ensuring that all published research is immediately, universally and permanently accessible without subscription barriers. Transparent Article Processing Charges (APCs) support our publication process and generation of high-quality digital content. Fees are not used to fund or pay Editors, peer reviewers or shareholders or any external advisors. Fees are determined entirely by the level of editorial oversight and production support required for the manuscript category.
To recognise the foundational contribution of our inaugural authors, PROTOCELL IO has implemented reduced Founding Period pricing. Authors participating in our inaugural 2027 Launch Phase can apply a strategic subsidy code during abstract submission to access exclusive early-wave introductory rates — look up our social media handles to find the current code. Manuscripts submitted after the formal serialisation milestone transition to the standard post-founding framework.
How your rate is determined
Academic & Research Impact Rate
For submissions whose primary purpose is the advancement of scholarly knowledge and public research. Commonly applies to universities, research institutes, government laboratories, charities and other non-profit research organisations.
- • Primary author affiliation
- • Research funding source
- • Intended scholarly audience
- • Stated research objectives
- • Expected research and educational impact
Professional & Industry Rate
Applies to submissions whose principal purpose is professional, industrial, organisational or commercial dissemination.
Editorial process, peer review standards, publication quality and Open Access licence are identical regardless of the applicable publication rate.
Subsidised Rate
For independent researchers and Authors with limited or no funding available for publication, where the work demonstrates impact within scope. The Article Processing Charge is met in full by the Publisher; a subsidised fee of £75 covers processing and the minimal English editing and typesetting service.
Assessed on scope fit and on demonstrable societal, environmental or economic benefit. Never assessed alongside, or in view of, the editorial decision.
Academic & Research Impact
Group 1 applies to submissions whose primary purpose is the advancement of scholarly knowledge and public research. Rates step from the introductory launch-code tier, through the standard Founding Period, to the post-founding framework.
| Article group / tier | Launch code Introductory | Founding Period Standard founding | Post-Founding After launch |
|---|---|---|---|
Research Articles, Exploratory Papers & Review Articles Full-length manuscripts from universities, institutes, government laboratories, charities and other non-profit research organisations. | £475 | £950 | £1,350 |
Communications, Technical Notes, Mini Reviews, Research Highlights, Briefings, Commentaries & Posters Short-form academic and research-led contributions following a streamlined editorial process. | £350 | £675 | £900 |
Professional & Industry
Group 2 applies to submissions whose principal purpose is professional, industrial, organisational or commercial dissemination. Editorial standards, peer review and Open Access licensing are identical to Group 1.
| Article group / tier | Launch code Introductory | Founding Period Standard founding | Post-Founding After launch |
|---|---|---|---|
Research Articles, Exploratory Papers & Review Articles Full-length manuscripts from industry, commercial and organisational authors. | £1,850 | £2,250 | £2,750 |
Communications, Technical Notes, Mini Reviews, Research Highlights, Briefings, Commentaries & Posters Short-form professional and industrial contributions following a streamlined editorial process. | £950 | £1,250 | £1,600 |
Independent & Limited-Funding Authors
Group 3 applies to independent researchers and Authors with limited or no institutional funding available for publication. Where the work sits within the Journal’s scope and demonstrates research impact together with a societal, environmental or economic benefit, the Article Processing Charge is met in full by the Publisher. A subsidised fee of £75 applies in its place. This is not an Article Processing Charge: it covers processing costs and the minimal English editing and typesetting service, and confirms a real Author behind the submission. There is no reduction in editorial standards, peer review or Open Access licensing.
- • No institutional affiliation, or an affiliation without a publication budget
- • No grant, fellowship or programme funding available for publication
- • Early-career, independent or self-directed research
- • Work with a clear societal, environmental or economic benefit
- • Work that sits within one of the Journal's five discovery tracks
Raise it at first contact — there is no separate application form and no obligation to disclose anything beyond what is needed to assess the work.
Editorial independence & operational funding distribution
Every submission is evaluated with strict academic integrity, completely independent of its rate category or fee status. All collected APC revenues are funnelled directly into operational infrastructure supporting the editorial and production lifecycle of each article.
How manuscripts are categorised
Research & Review Articles
Comprehensive peer review, multiple rounds of editorial assessment where required, detailed technical evaluation, and a higher level of editorial and production oversight.
Communications, Technical Notes, Mini Reviews, Commentaries & Posters
Shorter in length and more focused in scope, following a streamlined editorial and peer review process while maintaining the same standards of scientific rigour and publication quality.
Each category is charged at either the Group 1 (Academic & Research Impact) or Group 2 (Professional & Industry) rate. All manuscripts, irrespective of category or publication rate, are assessed according to the journal’s editorial policies and are subject to the same standards of scientific integrity, peer review and publication ethics.
What the APC supports
- Initial editorial assessment
- Editorial office administration
- Independent peer review management
- Academic editorial oversight
- DOI registration and metadata management
- Professional copyediting and production
- Digital publication and long-term preservation
- Indexing and discoverability
- Website hosting and platform maintenance
- Ongoing journal development
Editorial services
These services are entirely optional and have no influence on editorial or peer review decisions.
Language Editing & Manuscript Formatting Assistance with English language, grammar, style, formatting, references and manuscript presentation prior to publication. Does not alter the scientific content. | £250 |
Fast-Track Editorial Processing Where reviewer availability permits, prioritises editorial handling and coordination of peer review. Does not influence reviewer selection, editorial decisions or acceptance outcomes. | £650 |
Publication fee waivers
To support inclusivity and emerging areas of research, the journal periodically offers full or partial APC waivers for selected themed issues, strategic initiatives, or sponsored collections. Waivers are announced alongside the relevant Call for Papers and are independent of publication rate categories.
Our pricing philosophy
Rigorous Peer Review
Supporting an independent, high-quality editorial and peer review process that maintains the scientific integrity of every published article.
Open Access for Maximum Impact
Ensuring that all published research is immediately and permanently accessible without subscription barriers.
Sustainable Publishing
A transparent and financially sustainable publishing model that supports long-term journal development while enabling academic and publicly funded research.
Publication fees are based on the level of editorial and production support required and the anticipated research impact of the work, rather than the outcome of peer review. All accepted manuscripts receive the same rigorous editorial standards and are published under the same Open Access licence.
Founding Period APCs recognise the support of our early authors while the journal establishes its reputation, indexing and impact. As the journal grows, APCs will be reviewed periodically to reflect the evolving costs of editorial management, publication infrastructure and community services. Any future pricing changes will be announced in advance and will apply only to new submissions.