Research Data

Highlighted Tool: NNLM Data Repository Finder

NNLM Data Repository Finder

This tool is meant to help locate both generalist and domain specific NIH-supported repositories for sharing research data. Answer as many questions as you like to filter down a number of repositories to compare.

Domain Specific Repositories

BMIC has maintained a list of NIH-supported data repositories at this site for the last several years. Visit this list of both domain specific and generalist repositories for locating re-usable datasets as well as sharing your own data in compliance with NIH Data Sharing Policy.

• Open NIH-supported domain-specific repositories that house data of a specific type or related to a specific discipline;

• Other NIH-supported domain-specific resources, including repositories and knowledgebases, that have limitations on submitting and/or accessing data.

Generalist Repositories

Generalist repositories that house data regardless of type, format, content, or subject matter.

* Information about the NIH GREI (Generalist Repository Ecosystem Initiative)

Considerations for Selecting a Repository

Does the Repository support FAIR principles?

FAIR means that data publishing platforms should enable data to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable. Many organizations, including the NIH, place considerable emphasis on data sharing that meets these principles.

• Data is Findable if it is uniquely and persistently identifiable. Does the repository register your data to create a persistent identifier (such as a DOI)? Does the repository provide for rich metadata that will enable discovery? Is your research output and data indexed in Google or subject databases?
• Data is Accessible if it can be understood and obtained by machines or humans, through a standard protocol that allows for authorization and authentication, where necessary.
• Data Objects are Interoperable if metadata and data are machine-accessible and utilize shared terminology.
• Data Objects are Re-Usable if the data can be automatically linked or integrated with other data sources, with proper citation of the source. Are data use agreements and/or licensing clearly presented, to allow depositors to state explicitly up front what uses they would be willing to allow?

What is the cost structure?

• Are there ongoing costs after deposit? Have you accounted for these costs in your grant budget?

Does the repository meet a set of certification standards?

• Check to see if a repository follows certification standards such as the Core Trust Seal of Approval or the Trustworthy Repositories audit & Certification: Criteria and Checklist (TRAC). Although certification criteria are informative, repository certification is still in its infancy.Most repositories have not achieved certification.

*University of Iowa Libraries. Research Data Services Data Repositories. Retrieved August 27, 2019 http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/data/share/data-repositories/

Additional Resources

• Desirable Characteristics of Data Repositoies for Federally Funded Research (archive.org from 2022)

  This document aims to improve consistency across Federal departments and agencies in the instructions they provide to researchers about selecting repositories for data resulting from Federally funded research.

• FAIR Share Generalist Repository Comparison

  The General Repository Comparison Chart (click Reference box for full document) and FAIRsharing Collection is a tool for researchers to help select the best general repository for their data or other digital objects.

• PLOS ONE guidelines

  PLOS guidance on selecting a repository for data deposit.

• Selecting a Repository for Data Resulting from NIH-Supported Research

  This supplemental information is intended to help researchers choose data repositories suitable for the preservation and sharing of data (i.e., scientific data and metadata) resulting from National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded and conducted research.