Deadline: 30-Sep-2026
The Support Scheme for Publication Fees (SSPF) provides reimbursement funding to Sri Lankan researchers for publishing research articles in high-impact open-access journals indexed in Clarivate Analytics SCIE or SSCI databases. The scheme supports publication costs based on journal impact factor, offering grants up to LKR 1.5 million for eligible high-impact scientific and social science publications.
The programme is designed to strengthen research visibility, encourage quality academic publishing, and support Sri Lankan researchers in disseminating internationally recognised research outputs.
What is the Support Scheme for Publication Fees (SSPF)?
The Support Scheme for Publication Fees (SSPF) is a research funding initiative that helps Sri Lankan authors cover publication fees for research articles published in internationally recognised, high-impact indexed journals.
The scheme follows a reimbursement-based funding model, meaning eligible researchers first pay the publication charges and then apply for reimbursement after meeting the required conditions.
The programme specifically supports articles published in:
- Open Access journals
- Journals indexed in Clarivate Analytics Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)
- Journals indexed in Clarivate Analytics Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
Preference is given to research articles published in journals with higher impact factors.
Objectives of the SSPF Grant
The main goals of the Support Scheme for Publication Fees are to:
- Promote high-quality research publications from Sri Lankan researchers
- Increase international visibility of Sri Lankan research
- Support publication in globally recognised indexed journals
- Reduce financial barriers related to article processing charges (APCs)
- Encourage researchers to publish impactful scientific and social science research
Funding Support and Grant Categories
The SSPF provides funding according to journal indexing status and impact factor.
Funding for Natural Sciences (SCIE-Indexed Journals)
Researchers publishing in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) journals are supported under three funding tiers:
Tier 1: High Impact SCIE Journals
Eligibility:
- Open-access SCIE-indexed journal
- Journal Impact Factor above 10.0
Maximum reimbursement:
- Up to LKR 1.5 million
Tier 2: SCIE Journals
Eligibility:
- SCIE-indexed journal
- Journal Impact Factor between 5 and 10
Maximum reimbursement:
- Up to LKR 1 million
Tier 3: SCIE Journals
Eligibility:
- SCIE-indexed journal
- Journal Impact Factor between 2 and 5
Maximum reimbursement:
- Up to LKR 500,000
Funding for Social Sciences (SSCI-Indexed Journals)
Researchers publishing in Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) journals can receive support under similar funding tiers.
Tier 1: High Impact SSCI Journals
Eligibility:
- Open-access SSCI-indexed journal
- Journal Impact Factor above 5.0
Maximum reimbursement:
- Up to LKR 1.5 million
Tier 2: SSCI Journals
Eligibility:
- SSCI-indexed journal
- Journal Impact Factor between 3 and 5
Maximum reimbursement:
- Up to LKR 1 million
Tier 3: SSCI Journals
Eligibility:
- SSCI-indexed journal
- Journal Impact Factor between 1.5 and 3
Maximum reimbursement:
- Up to LKR 500,000
Who is Eligible for the SSPF Grant?
The programme is open to:
- Researchers affiliated with state universities and research institutions
- Researchers affiliated with non-state sector institutions
- Independent researchers without institutional affiliation
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a Sri Lankan citizen
- Must be permanently residing in Sri Lanka
- Must be registered in the NSF Science and Technology Management Information System (STMIS) database
The published article must be authored by the applicant and meet the journal indexing and impact factor requirements of the scheme.
Why the SSPF Grant Matters
Publishing research in international indexed journals often involves significant publication fees, especially for open-access journals.
The SSPF helps researchers by:
- Increasing access to global academic publishing platforms
- Supporting knowledge sharing beyond Sri Lanka
- Improving research recognition internationally
- Encouraging researchers to publish in high-quality journals
- Strengthening Sri Lanka’s research and innovation ecosystem
By reducing financial barriers, the scheme enables more researchers to share their findings with global scientific and academic communities.
Supported Publication Requirements
To qualify for reimbursement, research articles must:
- Be published in an eligible open-access journal
- Be indexed in SCIE or SSCI databases
- Meet the required Journal Impact Factor criteria
- Have publication fees paid by the applicant or institution
- Provide complete documentation for verification
How to Apply for the SSPF Grant
Applicants should follow these steps:
Step 1: Confirm Journal Eligibility
Before applying, researchers should verify:
- Journal indexing status (SCIE or SSCI)
- Journal Impact Factor
- Applicable funding tier
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
Applicants must collect all supporting documents, including:
- Published research article
- Acceptance letter from the publisher
- Proof of journal indexing
- Evidence of Journal Impact Factor
- Publisher’s invoice showing publication fees
- Proof of payment made for publication charges
- Proof that payment was received by the publisher
- Evidence showing first and corresponding authors requested institutional financial support and received responses
- Citation records of the published article
- Curriculum vitae (CV) of all authors
Step 3: Submit Reimbursement Application
Researchers should submit the complete application with all required evidence according to the SSPF guidelines.
Step 4: Verification and Reimbursement
The submitted documents will be reviewed, and approved applicants will receive reimbursement according to the applicable funding category.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following issues:
- Publishing in journals that are not indexed in SCIE or SSCI
- Applying without proof of Journal Impact Factor
- Submitting incomplete payment documents
- Failing to provide publisher invoices
- Missing evidence of institutional support requests
- Applying before confirming eligibility requirements
- Providing outdated citation information
Tips for a Successful SSPF Application
Researchers can improve their chances by:
- Selecting journals carefully based on official indexing information
- Maintaining complete publication records
- Keeping all payment-related documents safely
- Preparing documents immediately after publication
- Ensuring all author information is accurate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Support Scheme for Publication Fees (SSPF)?
The SSPF is a reimbursement grant programme that supports Sri Lankan researchers by covering publication fees for research articles published in eligible high-impact SCIE and SSCI indexed open-access journals.
2. Who can apply for the SSPF grant?
Sri Lankan citizens permanently residing in Sri Lanka who are affiliated with research institutions or working independently can apply, provided they are registered with the NSF STMIS database.
3. What type of journals are supported under SSPF?
The scheme supports open-access journals indexed in Clarivate Analytics Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI).
4. What is the maximum funding available under SSPF?
The maximum reimbursement amount is up to LKR 1.5 million for eligible high-impact journals under Tier 1 categories.
5. Does SSPF provide advance payment for publication fees?
No. The scheme operates on a reimbursement basis. Applicants must provide proof that publication fees have already been paid.
6. Can independent researchers apply?
Yes. Researchers without institutional affiliation may apply if they meet citizenship, residency, and NSF STMIS registration requirements.
7. What documents are required for reimbursement?
Applicants must submit the published article, acceptance letter, indexing proof, impact factor evidence, payment records, institutional support evidence, citation records, and author CVs.
Conclusion
The Support Scheme for Publication Fees (SSPF) provides important financial assistance for Sri Lankan researchers seeking to publish in internationally recognised academic journals. By supporting publication costs for SCIE and SSCI indexed research articles, the programme strengthens research visibility, encourages global collaboration, and promotes high-quality knowledge production from Sri Lanka.
For more information, visit National Science Foundation.
