Is it possible with core alone to configure a site so that a role has the ability to create a node, but not publish it?

Accepted answer

It seems that one is not able to assign specific permission to publish a content type with Backdrop CMS core. 

However, there are contrib modules that allow this. Such as the Publish Content module.
https://backdropcms.org/project/publishcontent

This module adds these permissions:

Comments

It seems that one is not able to assign specific permission to publish a content type with Backdrop CMS core. 

However, there are contrib modules that allow this. Such as the Publish Content module.
https://backdropcms.org/project/publishcontent

This module adds these permissions: