ORCID 101 for Individuals

What is ORCID?

Video: ORCID 101 for Individuals (4 minutes)
ORCID iD = unique number that distinguishes you (looks like https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1196-6279) and links to:
ORCID record = like a CV, but rather than a static document, the data within is interoperable with any systems that are ORCID-enabled

You have full control over your own data. ORCID is not-for-profit and your data will not be sold. Your ORCID iD and record can stay with you over the course of your career despite changes in name, institution, location, discipline, etc. ORCID is used across the globe in multiple languages.

Types of data that can be included in ORCID record:

Why should I care?

As a researcher using ORCID:
You can have the organizations that you work with (like research institutions, publishers, and funders) write data to your ORCID record for you if their systems are ORCID-enabled

Benefits: save time, improve accuracy & metadata integrity, make sure you get credit for your contributions and affiliations

You can transfer data from your ORCID record to organizations that you work with by clicking a button rather than filling out forms over and over again

Benefits: save time & reduce administrative burden

ORCID is not “just one more thing” that you have to do on top of everything else. Rather, it can be used to replace outdated workflows like keeping a static word doc CV up to date and filling out your information and activities in forms over and over again for different organizations and systems. Any time you would have spent updating your static CV can be spent instead on making sure your ORCID record is up to date.
If you do need a CV document, you can use the “public print view” option on your ORCID record to generate a PDF version of your record that is formatted like a CV. You can access the print view by adding /print to your ORCID iD, for example: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1196-6279/print
ORCID works like an ecosystem: the more people and organizations using ORCID, the more everyone benefits.
ORCID is used by major research institutions, publishers, and funders across the globe:

If ORCID does not seem to be working for you, it’s likely because the organizations that you work with have not enabled their systems to work with ORCID. Please feel free to ask these organizations to adopt ORCID.

How do I use my ORCID iD?

After an initial time investment to set up your ORCID record, you can save time later by using
your ORCID iD to:

Sign in to various systems (journal article submission, grant application, research information systems, etc.)
Transfer your information to employers, funders, and publishers via ORCID - just look for the ORCID iD icon:
Allow “trusted parties” (organizations that you are affiliated with) to add relevant info to your ORCID record for you, such as newly published articles
Use the “print view” to easily and quickly create a CV document

To set up your ORCID iD record:

Register for your ORCID iD or log in if you already have one, and set data visibility
Tip: if it’s enabled for your institution, you can click on “Institutional account” on the login page to log in to ORCID with your institutional credentials
Populate your data - if you have time, follow the guidance in the “Best Practices” section below, otherwise, use the “Good Enough” advice to get started.

Tips:

If your affiliated organization(s) are using ORCID-enabled systems, use their system(s) to connect your ORCID iD and authorize them as a trusted organization; they may be ready to write data to your ORCID record for you!
The more complete information within your ORCID record is, the better it will work to benefit you.
When adding institutional affiliations (employment and education) to your ORCID record manually, start typing the institution name and if possible, use the dropdown menu that appears to select your institution name. This will ensure consistency in how the institution’s name appears on your record.
When adding works to your ORCID record manually, try to always include a DOI (digital object identifier) to prevent duplicate entries if the same work is added to your ORCID record by a publisher or other trusted party later on.
ORCID is useful for tracking all manner of contributions in all disciplines, not just publications and not just in the sciences. For example, when adding a work to an ORCID record, there is an option specifically for "Artistic/Performance." ORCID is working on expanding the community to include an even more diverse representation of works.

Good Enough:

On the left side of your ORCID record, add identifying information to the following fields:

Also known as - other names you have used

Country - input your current country
Email address - add at least one additional email address to your record in case you need to recover your account. Email addresses are set to private visibility by default in ORCID.

In the main column of your ORCID record, ensure that data is populated for:

Your most recent employment - start typing the name of your institution and then select the appropriate entry from the dropdown that appears to add your employment information. If your institution has an ORCID-integrated system, they might be able to write this data to your ORCID record for you.
Your most recent education - start typing the name of your institution and then select the appropriate entry from the dropdown that appears to add your education information. If your institution has an ORCID-integrated system, they might be able to write this data to your ORCID record for you.
Funding - if you have received any grant funding, you can use the Search & Link wizard in the funding section to search for and add your grants. Note that future grant funders might be able to write funding information to your ORCID record for you if you provide them with your ORCID iD.
Works - there are a number of different ways you can add works to your ORCID record. Works can include publications but also presentations, blogs, artwork, performances, and any other type of deliverable. Add as much data as you can. Note that future publishers might be able to write works information to your ORCID record for you if you provide them with your ORCID iD.

Best Practice:

On the left side of your ORCID record, add identifying information to the following fields:

Also known as - other names you have used
Country - your current country
Keywords - words or phrases that describe your research activities
Websites - other websites that contain information about you and your work
Email address - add at least one additional email address to your record in caseyou need to recover your account. Email addresses are set to private visibility by default in ORCID.

In the main column of your ORCID record, ensure that data is populated for:

Biography - a brief statement or paragraph about you, your career, and research interests
Employment - start typing the name of your institution and then select the appropriate entry from the dropdown that appears to add your employment information. If your institution has an ORCID-integrated system, they might be able to write this data to your ORCID record for you.
Education - start typing the name of your institution and then select the appropriate entry from the dropdown that appears to add your education information. If your institution has an ORCID-integrated system, they might be able to write this data to your ORCID record for you.
Qualifications - enter any additional qualifications or certifications that might not already be included in your education information
Invited Positions - enter any invited, non-employment affiliations
Distinctions - enter any distinctions or awards that you have received
Memberships - enter any memberships in organizations that you belong to
Service - enter any service or volunteer work you have done
Funding - if you have received any grant funding, you can use the Search & Linkwizard in the funding section to search for and add your grants. Note that future grant funders might be able to write funding information to your ORCID record for you if you provide them with your ORCID iD.
Works - there are a number of different ways you can add works to your ORCID record. Works can include publications but also presentations, blogs, artwork, performances, and any other type of deliverable. Add as much data as you can. Note that future publishers might be able to write works information to your ORCID record for you if you provide them with your ORCID iD.