Getting Started with ORCiD
What is ORCiD?
An ORCID iD is a universally recognized unique identifier that connects you to your research outputs and activities. It simplifies tracking your work and ensures you receive proper credit for your contributions. The ORCID registry is integrated into many systems used by publishers, funders, institutions, and other research-related services, making it a valuable tool for researchers worldwide.
Advantages of using ORCiD:
- Stays with you throughout your career
- Distinguishes you from others with similar names
- Ensures your work is correctly attributed to you
- Links you to your contributions and affiliations
- Increases discoverability of your work
- Required by many journals and grant applications
For more information, visit the ORCID Overview for Researchers .
Register for ORCiD and connect with NetID
To sign up for a for an ORCID iD and/or to connect it to your NetID:
- Visit NU Validate at https://nuvalidate.northwestern.edu/ and click on Create or Link ORCID.
- Choose either Create a new ORCID iD or Connect your existing ORCID iD.
- Follow the prompts to register, login, and authorize the connection. (If the ORCiD already exists, skip to step 8.)
- Create password.
- Add affiliation (students should skip this step without adding affiliation).
- Select Everyone as the visibility setting.
- Consent to terms of use and complete registration.
- Finish authorization.
- At the end there is a success screen to confirm the connection is complete.
Additional Resources
Unsure if You Have an ORCID iD?
- Search ORCID using your name here. If you find your ORCID iD: Connect your ORCID iD with your NetID here.
- If you don’t find your ORCID iD: Create a new ORCID iD here.
- If you find an ORCID iD and are unsure if it’s yours:Try connecting it to your NetID here.
Forgot Your ORCID Password?
No problem! You can reset your password during the sign-in process by clicking on the “Reset it here” link. If you don’t receive a password reset email, it might mean:
- You don’t have an ORCID iD. Create a new ORCID iD here.
- You used a different email address to sign up. Check other email accounts to be sure.
- If you no longer have access to the email address you used to sign up: Submit a ticket to ORCID Support here.
