Refund Policy

 

The Hyderabad Journal of Sciences (HJS) follows a clear and transparent Refund Policy regarding article processing charges (APCs), submission fees, and other payments associated with the publication process. This policy ensures that authors, institutions, and other stakeholders are informed of the terms and conditions under which refunds may be provided.

1. Refund Eligibility

  • Before Acceptance: Authors can request a full refund of the submission fee or any article processing charges (APCs) paid if they withdraw their manuscript before acceptance. The withdrawal request must be made prior to the formal acceptance decision by the editorial board.

  • After Acceptance: Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, refunds are generally not provided for APCs or submission fees. Authors are committed to the publication process once acceptance has been confirmed and the editorial process has begun.

  • Post-Publication: No refunds will be issued for APCs or any related fees once the article has been published, either in the online or print version.

2. Conditions for Refund

  • Technical or Billing Errors: If there are errors in billing or payment, such as duplicate charges or incorrect payment amounts, authors are eligible for a refund of the excess amount. The author must provide supporting documentation, such as payment receipts or bank transaction details, for verification.

  • Incorrect Payment: If an author mistakenly pays for a service that is not required (for example, paying for an optional service that was not selected), a refund may be issued if the payment has been processed but the service was not rendered.

  • Miscommunication: In the case of a miscommunication or misunderstanding regarding the fee structure or services included, the author may request a refund. This request will be reviewed, and a decision will be made based on the circumstances.

3. Refund Process

  • Request Submission: To initiate a refund, the corresponding author must submit a formal refund request via email to the journal's editorial office. The request should include the manuscript ID, details of the payment made, and the reason for the refund request.

  • Documentation: Authors may be required to provide supporting documents (e.g., payment confirmation, bank statements) to validate the refund claim.

  • Processing Time: Refund requests will be processed within 30 days of receipt. The journal will review the request, and if it meets the criteria outlined in this policy, the refund will be issued.

  • Refund Method: Refunds will generally be issued through the same payment method used for the original transaction (e.g., credit card, bank transfer, online payment platform). Refunds will be processed in the same currency in which the payment was made.

4. Non-Refundable Fees

  • Accepted Manuscripts: Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, APCs and submission fees are non-refundable. Authors should be aware that these fees cover the administrative costs of processing and reviewing the manuscript.

  • Post-Publication Fees: Fees related to post-publication services (such as the print-on-demand service, promotional services, or reprints) are non-refundable once the article has been published.

  • Services Rendered: If a service has already been rendered, such as peer review, editing, or proofing, no refund will be provided, even if the manuscript is withdrawn after the service has been completed.

5. Refund Policy for Institutional Subscriptions

  • Subscription Fees: Refunds for institutional subscriptions to the journal will only be provided under exceptional circumstances, such as technical failure preventing access to the journal’s content for an extended period. In such cases, the institution must provide supporting documentation of the issue.

  • Refund Period: Subscription fees are non-refundable once the subscription period has begun, except in the event of serious technical problems or journal suspension.

6. Appeals Process

  • Disputed Refund Requests: If an author disagrees with the decision regarding a refund request, they can appeal the decision by submitting a formal appeal to the journal’s editorial board. The appeal will be reviewed by the editorial board, and a final decision will be made.

  • Final Decision: The editorial board’s decision on refund matters will be final, and the journal reserves the right to refuse a refund request if it does not comply with the criteria established in this policy.

7. Policy Changes

  • Right to Update: The Hyderabad Journal of Sciences reserves the right to update this Refund Policy as needed. Any changes to the policy will be communicated to authors and stakeholders via email or posted on the journal's website. Updated policies will apply to all transactions made after the date of the update.