Your ORCID iD is a unique, persistent digital identifier that distinguishes you from other researchers and scholars, and it can be found in several key locations, most notably on your personal ORCID profile page.
Locating Your ORCID iD
Finding your ORCID iD is straightforward, especially if you have already registered for one. It's designed to be easily accessible and integrated into various scholarly systems.
1. On Your ORCID Profile Page
The primary place to find your ORCID iD is on the official ORCID website.
- When Logged In: If you have an ORCID account and are logged in, your 16-digit ORCID iD is prominently displayed at the My ORCID page near the top left-hand corner of the page.
- On Your Public Profile: Even without logging in, your ORCID iD is always part of your public profile's URL. For example, if your iD is
0000-0001-2345-6789, your public profile URL would behttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-2345-6789. You can find the iD itself displayed at the top of this public page.
2. In Your Scholarly Works
Many academic publishers and repositories integrate ORCID iDs directly into the metadata of scholarly outputs.
- Publications: Look for your ORCID iD alongside your name in journal articles, conference papers, books, and preprints. It's often displayed as a clickable icon or the full 16-digit number.
- Datasets and Software: Researchers increasingly include their ORCID iDs when publishing datasets or software code in various repositories.
3. Institutional and Professional Profiles
Universities, research institutions, and professional organizations often link to their members' ORCID iDs.
- University Faculty Pages: Many academic institutions feature ORCID iDs on their faculty or staff profile pages to showcase research outputs and affiliations.
- Research Gate or Academia.edu: If you use these platforms, you might have linked your ORCID iD, and it could be displayed there.
4. Grant Applications and Manuscript Submissions
When applying for research grants or submitting manuscripts to journals, you are frequently asked to provide your ORCID iD. You can often find it within the submission system or on the confirmation pages.
Quick Guide: Where to Look for Your ORCID iD
This table summarizes the most common places to find your ORCID iD:
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| ORCID Website (Logged In) | On the My ORCID page, your iD is visible in the top left-hand corner. |
| Public ORCID Profile URL | Embedded in the URL itself (e.g., https://orcid.org/0000-0001-2345-6789). Also displayed at the top of the public profile page. |
| Published Articles/Books | Often found near your author name in the publication's metadata or on the first page. |
| Institutional Websites | On your university or research institution's faculty or researcher profile page. |
| Research Management Systems | Within grant application portals or journal submission platforms where you've previously entered it. |
What is an ORCID iD and Why is it Important?
An ORCID iD is a non-proprietary alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies scientific and other academic authors and contributors. It consists of 16 digits, typically displayed in four blocks of four digits separated by hyphens (e.g., 0000-0001-2345-6789).
Key Benefits:
- Author Disambiguation: It solves the problem of researchers having common names, name changes, or using different name variations, ensuring all your work is correctly attributed to you.
- Automated Updates: Your ORCID record can be automatically updated with your new publications, grants, and affiliations, reducing administrative burden.
- Interoperability: It integrates with many publishers, funders, and research institutions' systems, streamlining workflows for researchers.
- Increased Visibility: A comprehensive and up-to-date ORCID profile enhances your professional visibility within the global research community.
How to Get an ORCID iD (If You Don't Have One)
If you haven't yet registered for an ORCID iD, the process is simple and free:
- Visit ORCID's Website: Go to https://orcid.org/register.
- Complete the Form: Fill in your personal details, including your name, email address, and create a password.
- Choose Visibility Settings: Decide who can see your ORCID record (everyone, trusted parties, or only yourself).
- Confirm Registration: You'll receive a confirmation email. Click the link in the email to activate your account.
- Build Your Profile: Once registered, log in and populate your profile with your education, employment, funding, and works to make it a comprehensive record of your research activities.
Best Practice: Always use your ORCID iD when prompted by publishers, funders, or institutions to ensure all your contributions are accurately linked to your unique identifier.
