Open Access Publishing in PLOS Biology Free for NC State Authors

The NC State University Libraries and the Public Library of Science (PLOS) have entered into an agreement for NC State University researchers to participate in PLOS' Community Action Publishing (CAP) program. The CAP program is led by PLOS and aims to sustain highly selective journal publishing without Article Processing Charges (APCs) for authors. “Community Action Publishing takes into account the contributions of every author — not just corresponding authors — to help distribute publishing costs equitably among the institutions who support them. This ensures institutional members are charged a fair fee based solely on their authors’ publishing history.” (PLOS website). 

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 at PLOS Biology, you do not have to pay the Article Processing Charge (APC). NC State researchers only need to list their affiliation when submitting with PLOS Biology. All published articles are immediately Open Access and are available globally to read at no charge. There is no change to workflow for authors or librarians and it automatically extends to all authors from participating campuses who submit to PLOS Biology.

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 NC State University Libraries?

By joining the PLOS Biology Community Action Publishing (CAP) model, the NC State University Libraries pays an annual membership fee which covers the cost of publications for NC State authors. Our agreement is for three years (January 2021 - December 2023), with flat costs for all three years (0% inflation increases), 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 as part of our assessment.

Does the NC State University Libraries' participate in other publishing models for OA?

We are engaged with several read and publish deals (also called “transformative models”). This webpage on our site summarizes the Libraries' current participation in transformative publishing models for open access.

Learn more about PLOS Biology and the Community Action Publishing model.

For more information, please contact Danica Lewis, Collections & Research Strategy Librarian for Life Sciences or Hilary Davis, Department Head, Collections and Research Strategy and Interim Department Head, Research Engagement.