Why is NAR electing to charge authors based in List B developing countries an Open Access publication charge?
For the poorest (‘List A’) countries (see a list of Qualifying Countries) Open Access publication charges will be automatically waived. For middle-income (‘List B’) countries, authors based in NAR member institutions will also be eligible for a full waiver. Under OUP’s Developing Countries offer, subscription prices for List B developing countries are deeply discounted. For middle-income (‘List B’) countries, authors who are not based at an NAR member institution will be asked to pay a reduced Open Access charge. After careful thought, NAR has decided to introduce this reduced charge to help towards establishing the value of publication for the longer term – there is a concern that if such services are freely given in all cases, as resources gradually become available in the future, it will be harder for researchers to make a case for money to be allocated to them for use in areas where funds have not been required previously. Applications for full waivers using the financial hardship
