PLOS is a non-profit organization on a mission to drive open science forward with measurable, meaningful change in research publishing, policy, and practice.

Building on a strong legacy of pioneering innovation, PLOS continues to be a catalyst, reimagining models to meet open science principles, removing barriers and promoting inclusion in knowledge creation and sharing, and publishing research outputs that enable everyone to learn from, reuse and build upon scientific knowledge.

We believe in a better future where science is open to all, for all.

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Payment terms and conditions

Last updated: June 26, 2026

These Payment Terms & Conditions (“Payment Terms”) are a legally binding agreement between you and Public Library of Science (“PLOS”) and govern your payment to PLOS for publishing and other services. “You” refers to (1) authors who pay as an individual, and (2) institutions, funders and consortia who pay on behalf of authors or other institutions. PLOS’ Terms of Use apply to all publishing and other services provided by PLOS and those terms are incorporated by reference herein. Capitalized terms that are not defined in these Payment Terms have the meaning given to them in PLOS’ Terms of Use.

  1. If you are an author, you agree to pay the applicable publication fee listed here (subject to updates by PLOS). If you are an institution or consortium, you agree to pay the applicable fee based on the agreement negotiated between you and PLOS.
  2. All fees are denominated in U.S. currency.
  3. You are responsible for providing PLOS and its Payment Agent with accurate information. PLOS will not issue any refund or credit to the extent the total amount charged is based on your failure to provide accurate information, through mistake or error.
  4. You represent and warrant that you have the legal right to use any payment method used by you in connection with making payment to PLOS.
  5. You will be provided a quote of your publication fee on Editorial Manager. If you owe fees, you will be redirected to PLOS’ third-party service provider to perform payment processing (“Payment Agent”). If you accept the publication fee, you will receive a notification from our Payment Agent. Any payment processing will be subject to the terms and privacy policy of our Payment Agent, in addition to these Payment Terms and our Terms of Use. PLOS may share transaction information (namely, the amount of payment due) with our Payment Agent, but not credit card information, which you provide to the Payment Agent directly and not to PLOS. PLOS may replace its Payment Agent at any time.
  6. Payments can also be made via cheque or wire transfer as set forth on the invoice. 
  7. If you have a separate agreement with PLOS to make an advance payment, please note that PLOS does not offer banking services; accordingly, prepaid amounts do not earn interest, are not deposit obligations, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, or any other entity or insurance scheme, whether governmental or private.
  8. For information on how we treat personally identifiable information, please read our Privacy Policy, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Consistent with our Privacy Policy, we reserve the right to contact law enforcement or relevant third parties and share details of any payments you are associated with, if we believe doing so may prevent financial loss or a violation of law.
  9. If you believe that a problematic transaction has taken place under your account, you agree to notify us immediately, so that we may take action to prevent financial loss.
  10. You will indemnify and hold us harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, actions, suits, or demands and any related losses, damages, judgments, tax assessments, penalties, interest, and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of any claim, action, audit, investigation, inquiry, or other proceeding instituted by a person or entity that arises out of or relates to (a) any actual or alleged breach of your representations, warranties, or obligations set forth in these Payment Terms and (b) any transaction submitted by you to PLOS.
  11. There may be countries that restrict or prohibit your ability to make payments to PLOS or for PLOS to accept payment from certain individuals or from certain countries. Nothing in these Payment Terms should be read to override or circumvent any such applicable laws, regulations or executive orders.
  12. PLOS may also update these Payment Terms by posting a revised version on this website. By continuing to access the PLOS websites or receiving any PLOS services after the updated Payment Terms take effect, you accept the revised Payment Terms.
  13. For consortia, funders and institutions only: in the event of a conflict between these Payment Terms and your agreement with PLOS, your agreement with PLOS will govern.
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