Open Access is the practice of making published research freely accessible to all. Whilst there are a number of mechanisms for making this content freely available, the Gold open access model used by Biological Imaging requires that the published 'version of record' be made freely available to all immediately upon publication, with additional usage rights. As no subscriptions are sold to view the content, such open access journals are typically financially supported through an article processing charge (APC) levied on the submitting author's institution or funding body.

Benefits of open access with Biological Imaging

·         Visibility: Articles are freely available online immediately upon publication, giving the potential for increased exposure and dissemination.

·         Accessibility: Gold open access allows all readers with internet access around the world to access published research without having to pay for a subscription.

·         Quality: All submissions will be fully peer-reviewed, with acceptance decisions being made by an international Editorial Board independently of the Publisher.

There are many stakeholders in the publication of research: the researchers, the users and the funders. Different stakeholders have different views but many accept the fact that if you want, for example, validation, copyediting, presentation, sustainability, functionality (usability, reference linking, usage information, discoverability), then all this has to be paid for. Traditionally this payment has been made via subscriptions. In open access publishing, the payment is made up-front, via article processing charges (APCs). APCs can be seen as a fairer payment mechanism, provided that the costs on which the charges are based reflect accurately the services offered, and provided that the acceptance process is based on peer review, rather than financial considerations.

Open access can therefore provide an opportunity to relate costs more directly to the means of publication, and it can provide a mechanism for publication that preserves the best aspects of traditional publishing whilst offering greater ease of use and more liberal copyright and ownership. Moreover, APCs mean that costs are not being met by an ever-decreasing number of libraries that are willing to subscribe, and that the costs of publication are therefore being shared more fairly, while at the same time maximizing dissemination.

Finally, publishing is competitive: authors compete for journal space, publishers compete for papers and for library budgets. Open access and APCs are a viable alternative for those authors who want to bring closer together the decisions about where to publish and how to pay, decisions that are divorced in the traditional subscription-based model.

The decision whether to accept an article for publication will rest solely with the Editors, and without reference to the funding situation of the authors.

Please note: APC collection is managed by RightsLink, who will contact authors following acceptance of their article.

Waiver policies 

Cambridge University Press operates several waiver policies, as described below. It should be noted that the decision whether to accept a paper for publication will rest solely with the Editor, and without reference to the funding situation of the authors. The Editor, editorial board members, and reviewers will have no involvement with the billing of APCs and cannot grant waivers. 

Developing country waiver policy 

Cambridge University Press operates waiver policies in line with other leading publishers. We grant 100% waivers to papers whose corresponding authors are based in Research4Life 'Group A' countries, and 50% waivers to those who are based in 'Group B' countries. 

Discretionary waiver policy 

The author(s) must request a waiver at or before submission, before an article enters editorial consideration by filling out this form.  

Article Type Waivers 

Waivers will be automatically granted for all: 

• Editorials
• Invited Reviews (only if the author has no funding)
• Errata/corrigenda
• Correspondence

Full waivers will automatically be granted via RightsLink.