AFNS is committed to fairness and transparency in its financial policies. As an open access journal, article processing charges (APCs) support peer review, editorial management, online hosting, indexing, and digital preservation. This Refund Policy clarifies the circumstances under which refunds may or may not be issued.

General Principles

• APCs are charged only after an article has been accepted for publication.
• Payments are final, reflecting costs already incurred in the editorial and publishing process.
• Refunds are granted only in exceptional, clearly defined circumstances.

Eligible Circumstances for Refunds

Refund requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Circumstances that may qualify include:

• Duplicate Payment: If authors are accidentally charged twice, a full refund of the duplicate amount is issued.
• Technical Errors: If a payment is processed in error due to system malfunction.
• Withdrawal Before Publication: If an accepted manuscript is withdrawn due to an editorial error (e.g., duplicate acceptance), partial refunds may be considered.

Non-Refundable Circumstances

Refunds are not provided under the following conditions:

• Author-initiated withdrawal after acceptance and editorial processing.
• Author dissatisfaction with editorial decisions or peer review feedback.
• Delays caused by factors beyond the journal’s control (e.g., late reviewer responses).
• Errors originating in the author’s submission (e.g., incomplete or inaccurate manuscripts).

Refund Request Process

Authors seeking refunds must submit a formal request to the editorial office within 30 days of payment. Requests should include:

• Manuscript ID and title.
• Proof of payment.
• A clear explanation of the reason for the request.

The finance and editorial teams jointly evaluate requests, and outcomes are communicated within 20 business days.

Processing Refunds

Approved refunds are issued using the same payment method originally used, unless otherwise agreed. Processing time may vary depending on the financial institution, but typically takes 7–14 business days.

Transparency and Accountability

This policy balances the need for fairness to authors with the sustainability of open access publishing. Clear boundaries help prevent misuse while ensuring that genuine errors are rectified promptly.

Conclusion

Refunds are rare but important exceptions in the publishing process. By following this policy, AFNS ensures that authors are treated with respect and fairness, while safeguarding the financial viability of its open access mission.