How to Publish in Open Access Journals for Free (No APCs)

June 11, 2026 · 4 min read

You can publish in open access journals for free — without paying an article processing charge (APC). Despite the common assumption that “open access = author pays”, a large share of reputable open-access journals charge authors nothing, and where a fee does apply, waiver programmes exist for researchers in lower-income countries. This guide shows exactly how to find no-cost routes and submit with confidence.

What article processing charges (APCs) actually cost

An APC is a fee some open-access journals charge to publish an accepted paper. They vary enormously — from nothing at all to well over US$3,000 at the most selective titles^[2] — the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of naira. For most African researchers, paying that out of pocket is neither realistic nor necessary, because two free routes exist: diamond open access, and APC waivers.

What “diamond” open access means

Diamond (or platinum) open access describes journals that are free to read and free to publish in — no charge to authors or readers, usually because a university, library or scholarly society covers the costs.^[1] Thousands of diamond journals operate worldwide, and they are especially common in Africa and the Global South. Publishing in one is the simplest way to make your work openly available at no cost.

How to find no-APC open-access journals

• DOAJ “without fees” filter. On the Directory of Open Access Journals (doaj.org), search your subject and filter to journals “Without article processing charges (APCs)”. Every result is a vetted, no-fee open-access journal.
• African Journals Online (AJOL). Many Nigerian and African journals on ajol.info charge little or nothing; check each journal’s author guidelines for its fee policy.
• Your discipline’s society journals. Scholarly societies often run diamond journals in their field — worth asking your supervisor or department.
• FRELIP journal feeds. Browse open-access journals by discipline to shortlist candidate venues, then verify their fee policy.

APC waivers and discounts for African researchers

If the journal you want does charge an APC, you may not have to pay it:

• Automatic country waivers. Many major publishers automatically waive or heavily discount APCs for corresponding authors based in low- and lower-middle-income countries — a list that includes much of Africa. Check the journal’s “waiver policy” page.
• Research4Life. This partnership improves access and publishing support for researchers in eligible countries; see research4life.org.
• Request a waiver. Even where it is not automatic, you can email the editorial office and ask. Many will grant one — it never hurts to ask before you submit.

A step-by-step submission checklist

1. Shortlist 2–3 journals in your field whose scope matches your paper.
2. Confirm each is legitimate — indexed in DOAJ, with clear peer review (see our predatory-journal checklist).
3. Check the fee policy: is it diamond (no fee), or does a waiver apply to you?
4. Read the author guidelines and format your manuscript accordingly.
5. Confirm the licence — a CC BY licence gives your work the widest legal reuse.
6. Submit, and keep a copy of any waiver confirmation in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I really publish open access without paying?

Yes. Diamond open-access journals charge authors nothing, and many publishers waive APCs automatically for authors in lower-income countries. Use the DOAJ “without fees” filter to find no-cost journals in your field.

What is the difference between gold and diamond open access?

Both make the final article free to read. “Gold” open access often involves an APC paid by the author or their funder, while “diamond” open access charges no fee to either authors or readers.

Are no-APC journals lower quality?

No. Quality depends on peer review and editorial standards, not on whether a fee is charged. Confirm a journal in DOAJ and check for COPE membership and a clear review process, whether or not it has an APC.

References

1. Bosman J, Frantsvåg JE, Kramer B, et al. (2021). The OA Diamond Journals Study. cOAlition S / Science Europe. doi:10.5281/zenodo.4558704
2. Solomon DJ, Björk B-C. (2012). A study of open access journals using article processing charges. J Am Soc Inf Sci Technol 63(8):1485–1495. doi:10.1002/asi.22673
3. Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). doaj.org
4. African Journals Online (AJOL). ajol.info
5. Research4Life. research4life.org