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Health Sciences Research Data Management: Data Repositories

What are data repositories?

Data repositories are designed to store, preserve, and provide access to research data. In addition to storing your own data at the conclusion of a research project, data repositories can be used to access data from other researchers. This data can be built upon to further scientific research without having to redo research, which can be time consuming and expensive.

Deciding where to find or store data can be a daunting task. There are many repositories and repository finders are great tools that can help you decide which would be best for your project and your data.

If you are funded by the NIH:

the NIH DMSP policy includes a Supplemental Information Notice which supplies guidance on selecting a repository for data resulting from NIH supported research.

Section 2-A gives a list of 75 domain-specific data sharing repositories along with links that take you to instructions on how to submit your data or how to access data that has already been submitted.

Section 2-B gives guidance on repository selection if your data does not fall into a specific domain.

Regardless of where you are receiving funding from, this is the recommended place to start looking for a repository for your data.

Other funders/projects:

Ideally you would want to use subject-specific repositories for your data, but generalist repositories are available, too. See below for more information.

Repositories by Discipline

Dryad

Dryad is an open-source, research data curation and publication platform. Datasets published in Dryad receive a citation and can be versioned at any time. Dryad is integrated with hundreds of Journals and is an easy way to both publish data and comply with funder and publisher mandates.

figshare

A multidisciplinary repository where researchers can share research data online in a citable, sharable and discoverable manner. Unlimited space and 1GB of private storage space for free. All file formats accepted and given DOI's when published.

ICPSR - Deposit Data

A site to store, curate and share scientific data so others can reuse the data and validate research findings.

Zenodo

Multidisciplinary open source repository where researchers can store papers, data sets, software and other digital research works.

Vivli

Global clinical research data sharing platform.

Fairsharing

A directory of life sciences databases and reporting standards

KNB

The Knowledge Network for Biocomplexity (KNB) is an international repository intended to facilitate ecological and environmental research. Share, discover, access and interpret complex ecological data.

PUBLISSO

An open access publishing platform for life sciences

OpenICPSR

Social, behavioral, and health sciences research data.

Resource Center for Minority Data (by ICSPR)

 

Repository Finders

NIH-Supported Data Sharing Resources

In general, NIH does not endorse or require sharing data in any particular repository, although some initiatives and funding opportunities will have individual requirements.  Overall, NIH encourages researchers to select the repository that is most appropriate for their data type and discipline. See Selecting a Data Repository.

All of Us Research Hub

Stores health data from a diverse group of participants from across the United States.

Data Repository Finder

Helps researchers find data repositories where they can share data as they develop and implement their NIH Data Management and Sharing Plans. Repositories are added on an ongoing basis.

re3data

Re3data is a global registry of research data repositories that covers research data repositories from different academic disciplines, offering detailed descriptions of more than 2600 repositories.  It includes repositories that enable permanent storage of and access to data sets to researchers, funding bodies, publishers, and scholarly institutions. Re3data promotes a culture of sharing, increased access and better visibility of research data.

FAIRsharing

A curated, informative and educational resource on data and metadata standards, inter-related to databases and data policies. Explore and locate databases for depositing your data, learn more about data standards, and get updates on changes in data policies across disciplines. 

Repository Finder 

Repository Finder, a pilot project of the Enabling FAIR Data Project led by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in partnership with DataCite and the Earth, space and environment sciences community, can help you find an appropriate repository to deposit your research data. The tool is hosted by DataCite and queries the re3data registry of research data repositories.

As part of the FAIRsFAIR project, which aims to supply practical solutions for the use of the FAIR data principles throughout the research data life cycle, the Repository Finder is extended to query for repositories relevant to FAIRsFAIR Project.

Scientific Data (by Nature)

Provides examples of repositories for a number of disciplines including:

  • Biological sciences
  • Health sciences
  • Chemistry and Chemical biology
  • Earth, Environmental and Space sciences
  • Physics
  • Materials science
  • Social sciences
  • Generalist repositories

Open Access Directory: Data Repositories

A list of repositories and databases for open data.

PLOS Recommended Repositories

PLOS identified established repositories, recognized and trusted within their respective communities.

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