Public Library of Science: Pioneering the Open Access Movement
The landscape of scientific communication underwent a seismic shift at the turn of the millennium. For decades, critical research was locked behind expensive paywalls, limiting the reach of discovery. The Public Library of Science (PLOS) emerged as a disruptive force, challenging the traditional publishing model to ensure that scientific knowledge is a public good, available to all without financial barriers.
The movement began in 2000 with a bold online petition led by Nobel Prize winner Harold E. Varmus, biochemist Patrick O. Brown, and computational biologist Michael Eisen. They called upon the global scientific community to stop submitting articles to journals that did not provide free, unfettered access to full texts—either immediately or within six months. While the petition garnered tens of thousands of signatures, the lack of widespread action prompted Brown and Eisen to establish their own nonprofit publishing operation in August 2001.
The Evolution of PLOS Publishing
Drawing inspiration from the UK-based BioMed Central, PLOS sought to create a sustainable ecosystem for open-access content—research that is digitally published and free of charge to the reader. To achieve this, PLOS adopted the Creative Commons "attribution" license. This framework ensures that the only constraints on the distribution of research are the preservation of the work's integrity and the requirement that authors be properly acknowledged and cited.
The organization officially launched on October 13, 2003, with the debut of PLOS Biology, available in both print and online formats. Since then, the organization has expanded significantly, launching 11 additional journals. While PLOS Clinical Trials was eventually merged into PLOS ONE, the organization previously maintained a dedicated Hub for Clinical Trials until July 2013 to aggregate relevant research.
Financial stability was bolstered by significant support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which provided a $9 million grant in December 2002 and an additional $1 million in May 2006 to help the organization achieve sustainability and launch new biomedical journals.
Expanding Global Impact and Sustainability
In recent years, PLOS has aligned its mission with global humanitarian and environmental goals. In 2023, the organization became a signatory of the SDG Publishers Compact, committing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To support these objectives, PLOS introduced five specialized open-access journals in 2021:
- PLOS Climate
- PLOS Water
- PLOS Sustainability and Transformation
- PLOS Digital Health
- PLOS Global Public Health
Beyond its own journals, PLOS has championed the democratization of medical knowledge. In 2011, it became a financial supporter of Healthcare Information For All by 2015 (HIFA), a global initiative advocating for unrestricted access to medical information, including the sponsorship of the first HIFA2015 Webinar in 2012.
Organizational Changes and Ethics
The organization has evolved its identity and leadership over time. In 2012, it transitioned its branding from the stylized "PLoS" to the all-caps "PLOS". Leadership also shifted in 2017 when Alison Mudditt succeeded Elizabeth Marincola as CEO.
PLOS has also taken a stand against neo-colonial parachute research—a practice where researchers from wealthy nations conduct studies in lower-income countries without meaningful collaboration with local scientists. In 2021, PLOS implemented a policy requiring changes in reporting to address and mitigate these practices.
Key Facts
- Founded: Operations officially launched October 13, 2003.
- Founding Figures: Harold E. Varmus, Patrick O. Brown, and Michael Eisen.
- Licensing: Uses Creative Commons "attribution" licenses for all content.
- Funding: Received $10 million in total grants from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
- SDG Commitment: Launched five new journals in 2021 to support Sustainable Development Goals.
- Ethics: Implemented policies in 2021 to combat parachute research.
| Year | Event/Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Open Access Petition | Initiated the movement for free scientific access. |
| 2003 | Launch of PLOS Biology | Official start of publishing operations. |
| 2011 | HIFA Support | Financial backing for global medical knowledge access. |
| 2021 | SDG Journal Expansion | Launched 5 journals focused on global sustainability. |
| 2023 | SDG Publishers Compact | Formal commitment to Sustainable Development Goals. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the Public Library of Science?
The primary goal of PLOS is to make scientific research available to all people, free and unfettered, by utilizing an open-access publishing model.
What license does PLOS use for its articles?
PLOS publishes all content under the Creative Commons "attribution" license, which allows for reproduction and distribution as long as the original authors are properly acknowledged and cited.
How does PLOS address unethical research practices?
In 2021, PLOS introduced a reporting policy specifically designed to address neo-colonial parachute research, ensuring better equity and collaboration for researchers in the countries where studies are conducted.
Which journals were created to support the Sustainable Development Goals?
In 2021, PLOS launched PLOS Climate, PLOS Water, PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, PLOS Digital Health, and PLOS Global Public Health to support the SDGs.
Who provided the initial financial support for PLOS?
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation provided critical funding, including a $9 million grant in 2002 and a $1 million grant in 2006.