What Tier 0 means
Every paper archived at Atopos is Tier 0. That means:
- Free to read, always, for everyone
- No login required to access the full text
- No paywalls, ever
- No embargo period
Tier 0 is not a tier among options. It is the only tier. Open access is an architectural constraint at Atopos, not a policy that can be reversed.
Why processing fees exist
Readers pay nothing. Authors pay a small fee to cover the cost of running the infrastructure. 10% of every fee goes into the Waiver Fund — which pays the fee for anyone who cannot afford it.
The founding cohort (first 100 accounts) receives one free first submission as a recognition of early support.
Preservation
Archived papers receive a permanent Atopos identifier and are deposited to Zenodo for long-term preservation. Papers are not removed from the archive. Retracted papers receive a permanent tombstone record.