Do you have an ORCID iD?

If you have a common name such as De Groot or Wang, you may have experienced problems with retrieving your full publication list from a database. Even if your last name is uncommon, some of your publications may be difficult to find because of name (spelling) variations such as Goncharov vs. Gontcharov or van den Broek vs. Vandenbroek. With an author identifier such as ORCID you can overcome these problems. Today, almost 2.5 million researchers have registered for an ORCID iD.

ORCID is growing fast as the international identifier for researchers. Since 2016 major publishers and funders adopted ORCID. For the author this means that an ORCID iD is required in the submission process to, for example, a journal of the Public Library of Science (PLOS). Other major publishers and database producers (such as Elsevier and Thomson Reuters) also require an author ID and accept ORCID alongside their own author IDs. Also research councils and funding agencies more and more require author IDs from their applicants and accept ORCID as such. Every researcher and scholar can register for an ORCID iD.

What is an ORCID iD?

An ORCID iD is a permanent identifier – a 16 digit number – that distinguishes you from other researchers. It connects you with your research publications and professional activities. ORCID stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID.

Why register now, why ORCID?

1. Avoid name confusion, increase visibility
   ORCID helps you to (permanently) link your unique identifier with your publications and research activities. An ORCID iD prevents confusion about author names and ensures you will get credit for you work. It benefits your visibility and impact.
   
2. ORCID is likely to become an international standard
   Major journals and funders request or even require an ORCID iD if you send in your manuscript or grant application. And their number is growing.
   
3. Having an ORCID iD saves time
   Once you have an ORCID iD, you do not have to fill in your address, employment history, affiliation details over and over again when applying for grants or submitting a manuscript.
   
4. ORCID is open and transparent
   ORCID is an open, community driven, non-profit organization. The identifier is universal and interoperable. It has already been adopted by many organizations and it fits within the context of open science.
   
5. Privacy of your ORCID iD is well protected
   Researchers own and control their own ORCID records. As a researcher you decide to register, what to link to your ID, what organizations you allow access, what information you want to make publicly available, what to share with trusted parties, and what to keep private.
   
6. ORCID is not limited to a single institution
   You can take your ORCID with you throughout your academic career, even when you move from one university or research institute to another.

How do I get an ORCID iD?

Registration takes only 30 seconds. Go to the ORCID registration page and fill in the requested details. Then you will receive a 16 digit number, your ORCID iD. You can use this ID when you submit a manuscript, apply for a grant and in other research workflows.

Why can’t the university OR UMCG provide an ORCID iD for researchers?

The researcher has to create one as an individual. The researcher is in control of his or her ORCID iD.

Can I have my ORCID iD in the repository of the UG (PURE)?

Sure! Log in into PURE as usual, then click on 'Edit Person Profile' to bring up a pop up window with your profile information. Just below your name and employee ID (p-number) you will find the option to 'Add existing ORCID'.

• More information and detailed instructions

I have a Research ID or a Scopus ID. What is the difference?

It is likely that ORCID will become an international standard, because it is adopted by more and more institutions and it is integrated in workflows. You can connect an ORCID iD to your ResearcherID or Scopus Author ID.

More information about ORCID

• Contact the University of Groningen Library
• UMCG-researchers can also contact the Central Medical Library
• Add your ORCID iD to Pure
• ORCID website