Article Transfer Policy
The AJMS Article Transfer Policy describes the optional transfer of a manuscript to another journal in the Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) portfolio when editors consider a different journal potentially more appropriate. Transfer occurs only with the author’s explicit consent. The receiving journal conducts its own editorial assessment, and transfer does not guarantee review, acceptance, faster decision-making, or publication.
1. Author Consent
Article transfer is entirely optional. A manuscript, associated files, metadata, and relevant editorial records are transferred only with the author’s explicit consent. Declining a transfer invitation has no adverse effect on the author.
2. Materials That May Be Transferred
With author consent, a transfer may include the manuscript, supplementary files, submission metadata, and relevant editorial records. Reviewer reports may be transferred only where this is consistent with reviewer confidentiality, applicable reviewer terms, and any consent requirements. Personal and editorial information involved in a transfer is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
3. Independent Editorial Assessment
The receiving journal conducts its own assessment under its aims and scope, editorial policies, ethical requirements, and peer-review standards. It may use existing reviewer reports, request additional review, begin a new peer-review process, or decline the manuscript. The receiving editor retains responsibility for the final decision.
4. Reviewer Reports
Where reviewer reports are transferred, they are provided only for legitimate editorial consideration. The receiving editor decides whether the reports are sufficient or whether further independent review is required. Reviewer confidentiality remains subject to the relevant peer-review and publication-ethics requirements.
5. No Guarantee of Acceptance or Faster Publication
Transfer does not guarantee external review, acceptance, a favourable decision, accelerated handling, or publication. The receiving journal applies its own scope, peer-review requirements, ethical standards, and editorial criteria.
6. Fees
No transfer fee is charged unless explicitly stated. If the receiving journal applies an Article Processing Charge or another author-facing fee, the author should be informed of that journal’s current fee policy before accepting transfer. Current AJMS fee information is available on the Article Processing Charges & Waivers page.
7. Editorial Independence and Conflicts of Interest
Article transfer does not alter editorial standards, peer-review requirements, conflict-of-interest management, or the independence of the receiving journal’s final decision. An editor with a relevant conflict of interest should not decide the transferred manuscript.
8. Confidentiality
Transferred manuscripts, reviewer reports, and editorial correspondence remain confidential and should be accessible only to individuals involved in legitimate editorial handling. Confidentiality requirements operate together with the Peer Review Process, Privacy Policy, and Generative AI Policy.
