Cost Per Article
A transparent view of what it takes to support rigorous, accessible, and sustainable science.
AIP Publishing’s mission is to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. We believe that openness builds trust: in research, in publishing, and in the scientific enterprise itself.
Our 2024 cost per article represents the real investment it takes to publish a single, peer-reviewed article, based on 2024 operations. This figure reflects the full scope of services that enable trustworthy science, from editorial oversight to digital preservation.
The cost per article in 2024 was $2,700
This calculation will be updated annually, so that authors, institutions, and partners can see the value of their investment in science.
Beyond articles – AIP Fusion
Our 2024 cost per article underpins AIP Fusion, our progressive new business model co-created with libraries and consortia. The all-inclusive model aims to deliver unlimited reading and publishing services across all AIP Publishing and partner journals under a single, predictable fee. The cost per article sets the benchmark for a fair, transparent, and predictable pricing model that reflects the services AIP Publishing delivers.
What the cost per article covers
The published cost of $2,700 reflects the full range of publishing services we provide, based on 2024 data:
Peer Review [18%] Peer review is the cornerstone of scientific trust. We invest in expert editorial boards, fair and efficient review systems, and reviewer training to uphold the highest standards of rigor and integrity. Every manuscript, whether accepted or not, benefits from this process, ensuring that our journals remain credible, respected, and representative of the best in the physical sciences.
Production [10%] From editing and formatting to long-term digital preservation, our production teams ensure that every published article meets the highest standards of clarity, accuracy, and accessibility. We safeguard the scholarly record, ensuring that knowledge today remains reliable and reusable for generations to come.
Author Outreach [14%] We empower researchers across the globe to share their work and connect with one another. Through author outreach and post-publication visibility initiatives, we help researchers increase the reach and impact of their work while fostering inclusion in the physical sciences community.
Library Collaboration [10%] Libraries are vital partners in advancing science. We work hand-in-hand with institutions worldwide to design fair and transparent agreements that expand access and remove barriers for researchers everywhere. Together, we’re building a future where every institution can read, publish, and share equitably.
Publishing Partnerships [13%] AIP Publishing proudly serves as the publishing home for partner societies across the physical sciences. By managing editorial, production, and dissemination services on their behalf, we help these societies expand the reach and influence of their communities and fulfill their scientific missions.
Overheads [9%] Behind every published article are teams that keep our organization sustainable and accountable. From finance and human resources to strategic administration, these essential functions enable us to reinvest every dollar back into science while maintaining operational integrity.
Customer Support [4%] We take pride in providing responsive, informed support at every step of the publishing process. Our teams assist authors, editors, reviewers, and readers to ensure a smooth experience from submission through publication and beyond.
Technology [19%] Reliable research depends on robust digital foundations. Our technology infrastructure ensures that every article we handle is discoverable, secure, and preserved for the long term. Through continuous innovation, investment in metadata and indexing standards, and support for open-science infrastructure, we make physics research visible, connected, and compliant with global mandates.
Content Dissemination [3%] Science has the greatest impact when it is shared. We actively promote and distribute the research we publish so it can be read, cited, and built upon by scientists tackling the world’s most important challenges. Our goal is simple: to help knowledge reach the people who can use it to make a difference.
Beyond our article costs
The cost per article represents a true calculation of what it takes to publish rigorous, peer-reviewed research, with no margin or markup.
But our mission extends beyond individual articles. As a purpose-led publisher, we reinvest in American Institute of Physics programs and partnerships that strengthen the scientific community, from student engagement and research to support for scientific member societies.
Through AIP Fusion, we’re introducing a model that enables us to fulfill our mission, fairly distributing these broader costs to institutions through a shared community fee, ensuring that science can thrive while authors and readers benefit from open, equitable access.