The Public Library of Science (PLoS) has announced the launch of the PLOS Global Participation Initiative, which aims to encourage submissions from researchers around the world who may previously have been prevented or limited in their ability to publish in open-access journals.
With this initiative, PLoS seeks to increase the global participation of authors in open-access publishing. It aims to reduce and, if possible, eliminate unnecessary barriers (including cost) to the immediate availability, access and use of research while pursuing a sustainable publishing model in which openness, quality and integrity are central.
The first programme in this new initiative aims to tackle barriers to publication based on cost, specifically addressing the lack of funding for publication faced by authors in many countries.
PLoS developed the Global Participation Initiative in consultation with its International Advisory Group (IAG), which is a group of eminent individuals from around the world. Multiple data sources were analysed to establish the parameters of the programme by examining Gross National Income per capita and national expenditure on Research and Development.
Addressing the financial barriers to publication is an important first step towards the goal of ensuring the widest possible global participation in open-access publishing.
