Maintaining a strong and distinct professional identity is more important than ever in the evolving academic and scientific research landscape. For researchers, particularly those engaged in federally funded projects, an ORCID iD is not just a convenience—it’s becoming an essential tool for career advancement, funding compliance, and research impact.
What is ORCID?
ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor Identification) is a free, unique, and persistent identifier that helps researchers distinguish themselves from others and ensures proper attribution of their work. This 16-digit ORCID iD connects to an individual’s ORCID record, serving as a digital CV that tracks publications, affiliations, grants, peer reviews, and more. By integrating with research platforms and funding systems, ORCID streamlines information management and enhances visibility throughout a researcher’s career.
Why Use ORCID?
- Grant Compliance: ORCID easily integrates with federal systems to meet funding requirements.
- Unique Identification: Ensures accurate attribution by distinguishing researchers from others with similar names.
- Increased Research Visibility: Provides a persistent link to research outputs, increasing discoverability and impact.
- Name Flexibility: Eliminates confusion caused by name changes or variations in how names appear in publications.
- Time-Saving Integrations: Automatically updates research profiles across institutions and publishers without requiring manual entry.
Federal Funder Policies and ORCID Compliance
With the growing emphasis on research integrity and transparency, U.S. federal funding agencies are increasingly integrating persistent identifiers (PIDS) into their grant submission and reporting processes. Federal policies, including the NSPM-33 Presidential Memo and guidelines from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), have underscored the need for PIDs in federal research initiatives to improve the discoverability and transparency of scientific data. Currently, ORCID is the only PID for individuals that meets the standards outlined by this federal guidance.
Beginning on May 25, 2025, and in October 2025, Federal agencies such as the NIH and NSF will require all senior/key personnel to enter their ORCID iD into SciENcv. Additionally, other agencies, such as the DOE, DoED, NASA, and USDA, are adopting similar requirements by mandating the use of PIDs that align with federal standards in their grant submission processes, with more agencies soon to follow.
Register Today!
Registering for an ORCID iD is free and takes just a few minutes. Visit orcid.org to create your profile and start linking your research activities. Connect your ORCID iD to CSU by logging in through your institution’s credentials.
Want to Learn More?
Visit the following resources to learn more about how to optimize your ORCID iD:
Blog post by Khaleedah Thomas, Copyright & Scholarly Communications Librarian | Associate Professor, Colorado State University Libraries