# Why do we have to pay Article Processing Charges (APC)?

Gold Open Access journals fund themselves through advertising and through the fees associated with publishing articles (APCs). These charges vary from €1,000 to more than €6,000 per article. There are no standard rules; each journal or publisher determines the amount it considers appropriate.

Through Read & Publish agreements, it may be possible to obtain either a reduction on the APC — which generally allows the amount accepted by the Gold OA Fund (FGOA) to be reached — or full coverage, meaning no cost to the author.

If the fees exceed the amount accepted by the FGOA and there is no agreement for full coverage, the cost of the publication falls to the author or their department.

Since the Gold route is the preferred route for the SNSF, the SNSF covers Gold route publications according to its own criteria.