Public Library of Science

The Public Library of Science (PLOS) is a nonprofit publisher and advocacy organisation founded in 2000 that works to advance open science through open access research publishing, policy engagement and reform of research practice. Surplus revenue is reinvested into its mission rather than distributed to shareholders. The organisation serves the research enterprise - scholars, librarians, funders and institutional leaders - across disciplines and geographies.

PLOS publishes a portfolio of peer-reviewed open access journals spanning life sciences, medicine, engineering and technology. Its flagship, PLOS ONE, was the world's first multidisciplinary Open Access journal and accepts scientifically rigorous research regardless of novelty. The publishing operation rests on technical work in open access publishing models, peer review, research integrity and ethics, and publishing technology and platforms.

Beyond publishing, PLOS engages in open science policy and advocacy, including work on scientific communication and publishing models. The organisation describes a mission-driven culture with a stated commitment to research integrity, ethical standards and inclusion, and to removing barriers to the openness, accessibility and reusability of scientific knowledge.