Empowering Research Identity with ORCID
At Michigan State University, we are committed to supporting our faculty, students, and staff in establishing and maintaining a robust scholarly identity. One key tool that supports this goal is ORCID, the Open Researcher and Contributor ID. ORCID provides a unique digital identifier that distinguishes each researcher and connects them unambiguously to their scholarly work.
ORCID is widely integrated across academic and research systems. It ensures proper attribution, improves the visibility of research, and reduces administrative burdens. Whether you are publishing a journal article, submitting a grant application, or depositing data in a repository, your ORCID iD connects your work to your name, across your entire career.
What is ORCID?
ORCID is a free, unique, persistent identifier (PID) for individuals to use as they engage in research, scholarship, and innovation activities. Learn how ORCID can help you spend more time conducting your research and less time managing it.
- A 16-digit unique ID (e.g., https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1825-0097).
- Interoperable across systems like grant applications, journal submissions, and repositories.
- Free to register and use.
With this identifier, you can reliably associate your work with your name, even if you have a common name or change your name or institution. ORCID provides a free profile where you can add your publications, education, employment, funding history, and more.
Why ORCID is Important?
For Individual Researchers
ORCID helps ensure that your work is correctly attributed to you. This is especially useful if you share a name with other scholars or have changed your name during your career. ORCID supports:
- Persistent attribution across platforms and over time
- Easier submissions to publishers and funders
- Greater visibility for your academic contributions
ORCID also allows you to connect your profile with databases like Scopus, Crossref, and DataCite, which can help populate your record automatically.
Importantly, many major funding agencies and publishers now require ORCID iDs as part of their submission and reporting processes. Registering early ensures you are ready to meet these evolving requirements.
For the University
ORCID supports the university’s ability to track, report, and showcase scholarly activity. It enables better data quality for research analytics, makes internal reporting more efficient, and aligns with open research practices. In addition, ORCID helps researchers meet compliance requirements from major funders.
Register for an ORCID iD
All your research information accessible via your own unique profile, to be used wherever you need it.