The Libraries partners with PLOS to cover the cost of publishing Open Access

PLOS logo

We’re excited to announce that the Libraries and PLOS have expanded our pilot partnership to cover NC State's open access publishing costs for all 12 PLOS journals. 

Our partnership with PLOS means that NC State-affiliated authors will pay no fees when they publish Open Access in any of the following PLOS journals:

PLOS Biology
PLOS Medicine
PLOS Sustainability & Transformation
PLOS One
PLOS Digital Health
PLOS Genetics
PLOS NTDs
PLOS Pathogens
PLOS Computational Biology
PLOS Climate
PLOS Global Public Health
PLOS Water

How does this work for authors?
As a current member of NC State University, if you are the corresponding author and your paper is accepted in any PLOS journal, you do not have to pay the Article Processing Charge (APC). NC State researchers only need to list their affiliation when submitting with PLOS. All published articles are immediately Open Access and are available globally to read at no charge. There is no change to the workflow for authors or librarians and it automatically extends to all authors from participating campuses who submit to PLOS journals.

If an NC State University author is not the corresponding author, but some or all of the contributing authors are members of NC State University, there is a 25% discount on the non-member fee (APC).

How does this work for the Libraries?
By partnering with PLOS, the NC State University Libraries pays an annual membership fee which covers the cost of publications for NC State authors. Our agreement ends in December 2023, with no ongoing obligation and the ability to opt out at any time.  We will collect data on the number of articles published by NC State members through this contract term. Renewal will depend on the uptake of this membership and availability of funds. 

Does the Libraries participate in other publishing models for OA?
We are engaged with several open access agreements. Find out more about our PLOS agreement and other agreements we have in place to support open access publishing for NC State authors.

Learn more about publishing with PLOS

For more information, please contact Hilary Davis, Department Head, Collections and Research Strategy.