See also these related discussions:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_impact_of_high_article_processing_charges_on_research_publication_activities_in_low_and_middle_income_countries/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Researchers_in_developing_nations_face_difficulties_with_the_publication_fee/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Because_famous_academic_publications_cost_money_is_science_exclusive_to_the_wealthy_Where_is_scientific_equality_between_the_wealthy_and_the_poor/1

And see these discussions for offers to partially solve this problem:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Funders_for_article_publication_charges/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Funding_for_publication/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/If_you_need_Fundraising_Help_for_Publication/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How-to-get-funding-for-an-open-access-Journal-publication/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How-can-I-find-a-funding-body-that-can-pay-the-fees-of-publishing-my-paper-in-an-open-access-journal/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/funding_grants_to_publish_our_scholarly_article/1

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Seeking_help_for_funding_to_publish_a_research_paper/1

Authors from underrepresented or underfunded institutions often face significant disadvantages within the current academic publication system. These disadvantages manifest in several ways:

Bias in Peer Review: There is evidence suggesting that manuscripts from institutions in non-Western, emerging economies or from less prestigious institutions might undergo more rigorous scrutiny than those from well-known Western universities. This can lead to higher rejection rates for researchers at underrepresented institutions, despite potentially comparable quality of research. This bias can be attributed to both conscious and unconscious biases among reviewers and editors regarding the perceived credibility or relevance of the research based on institutional prestige.

Limited Access to Resources: Researchers at underfunded institutions often lack the necessary support, such as access to advanced research tools, editorial assistance, or funding for article processing charges (APCs) required by many open-access journals. This can lead to a lower rate of publication or publication in lower-impact journals, which does not reflect the quality of the research but rather the financial limitations of the institution.

Networking and Mentorship: The academic world often relies heavily on networks for gaining visibility and opportunities. Researchers from underrepresented institutions might not have the same level of access to influential networks, mentors, or collaborators, which can significantly impact their ability to publish in high-impact journals or to even be aware of publication opportunities.

Recognition and Prestige: The prestige of an institution can play a significant role in how research is perceived. Papers from more prestigious institutions are sometimes automatically regarded as more significant, potentially overshadowing high-quality research from less known institutions. This perception can influence both the review process and citation rates post-publication.

Economic Barriers: The cost of publishing in high-impact journals, whether through APCs or subscription fees, can be prohibitive for researchers at underfunded institutions. This economic barrier can limit their ability to publish open-access articles, thus reducing the visibility and impact of their research.

Cultural and Language Barriers: Researchers from non-English speaking backgrounds or from underrepresented cultural groups might face additional hurdles due to language proficiency issues or cultural differences in writing style, which can affect the acceptance of their work by predominantly English-speaking peer-reviewed journals.

Solutions and Initiatives: Some journals and academic bodies are recognizing these issues and taking steps like providing free editorial support, waiving APCs for researchers from low-income countries, or implementing double-blind peer review processes to minimize bias. However, these measures need to be more widespread and effectively implemented to truly level the playing field.

In conclusion, while there are structural and systemic disadvantages for authors from underrepresented or underfunded institutions, there is also a growing awareness and attempt to address these inequities. For the academic community to benefit fully from all global research, it's essential to continue pushing for reforms that ensure equitable access to publication opportunities.