Refund Policy

At the Journal of Translational Research, we are committed to providing a transparent, fair, and reliable service to our authors and readers. While we aim to offer high-quality publishing services, we understand that there may be situations where authors may request a refund. This Refund Policy outlines the conditions under which refunds may be issued, as well as the procedures for requesting and processing refunds.

1. Eligibility for Refunds:

  • Before Peer Review: Authors who wish to withdraw their manuscript before the peer review process begins may be eligible for a refund of any paid submission fees. If the manuscript is withdrawn before the peer review process starts, authors may request a full refund, excluding any administrative fees, if applicable.

  • During Peer Review: Once the manuscript has entered the peer review process, submission fees are non-refundable. The costs associated with the review process, including editorial services and reviewer compensation, have been incurred at this stage.

  • After Acceptance: After a manuscript has been accepted for publication, the submission or publication fees are non-refundable. This is because the journal has already initiated the publication process, which includes the peer review, editorial, and production stages.

  • Post-Publication: Once an article has been published in the journal, no refunds will be issued under any circumstances. Published articles become part of the permanent archive of the journal.

2. Refund Process:

  • Request for Refund: Authors who wish to request a refund must submit a formal request to the editorial office. The request should include the manuscript ID, title, and a clear explanation of the reason for the refund request. Authors may need to provide supporting documentation, such as proof of withdrawal or other relevant details.

  • Refund Eligibility Review: Upon receipt of the refund request, the editorial office will review the request to determine eligibility based on the submission stage and the terms outlined in this policy. In cases where the request falls outside the refund criteria, authors will be informed of the decision.

  • Refund Approval: If the refund is approved, the editorial office will process the refund within 30 days of approval. Refunds will be issued using the same payment method used by the author for the original submission fee.

3. Non-Refundable Situations:

Refunds will not be issued under the following circumstances:

  • Post-Acceptance Withdrawals: Once a manuscript has been accepted for publication, no refunds will be provided if the author decides to withdraw the manuscript.

  • Dual Submissions: If a manuscript is found to have been simultaneously submitted to another journal, and a withdrawal is requested, no refund will be issued.

  • Author Non-Compliance: If a manuscript is rejected or withdrawn due to non-compliance with submission guidelines, ethical standards, or the journal's scope, no refund will be issued.

  • Errors or Omissions by the Author: If the author fails to provide the correct manuscript files, formats, or necessary revisions in a timely manner, no refund will be issued.

4. Administrative Fees:

In some cases, there may be a non-refundable administrative fee associated with processing submissions, handling withdrawals, or other administrative functions. The specific fee amount, if applicable, will be communicated to the author at the time of manuscript submission.

5. Special Circumstances:

  • Exceptional Circumstances: In cases of extraordinary circumstances, such as a medical emergency, personal crisis, or technical errors caused by the journal’s systems, the editorial office may consider issuing a refund or partial refund. Authors must provide appropriate documentation to support their request. The editorial team will review these requests on a case-by-case basis.

6. Refund for Open Access Fees:

  • Open Access Publication Fees: Authors who choose the open-access publication option may be required to pay a fee for their article to be made freely accessible to all readers. Once the article has been accepted and the production process has started, the open access fee is non-refundable.

  • Refund for Open Access Fees (Under Special Circumstances): If an article is withdrawn before publication, or if there is a significant error that warrants the withdrawal, authors may request a refund of the open access fee, subject to review and approval by the editorial office.