Data Repositories
The NNLM data thesaurus defines a data repository as a: "place that holds data, makes data available to use, and organizes data in a logical manner."
The NIH has guidance for selecting a repository for data resulting from NIH-supported research.
Directories to Locate Repositories
Although not comprehensive, these directories are a good place to start searching for a data repository.
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re3dataRegistry of Research Data Repositories. Searchable interface but can also browse by subject, content type and country.
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FAIRsharing.orgThe collections link can be used to find both domain and generalist repositories as well as those recommended by specific journals, funders, and organizations.
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Repository FinderThis resource can limit to the repositories in re3data that meet the criteria of the Enabling FAIR Data Project and FAIRsFAIR Project.
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Data PortalsA browsable list of open data portals from around the world (not searchable).
Generalist Repositories
These repositories host data regardless of type, format, content, or subject matter. This comparison chart may be helpful when considering more than one repository.
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DRYADNonprofit data repository. Dryad has a team of curators who check every submission to ensure the validity of files and metadata. A data publishing charge of $120 may apply (additional fees may apply to submissions in excess of 50GB). There is a limit of 300GB per data publication uploaded through the web interface (larger submissions are accepted but require technical assistance).
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figshareFree account allows upload of files up to 5GB space and 20 GB of free private space. Blinded links can be created for peer review.
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NIH figshare ArchiveThis figshare instance was a yearlong pilot project that ended in 2020, but the uploaded research is still searchable.
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Harvard DataverseAll researchers from any discipline, both inside and out of the Harvard Community, can deposit files of up to 2.5GB, and store up to 1TB of data.
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Mendeley DataPosted datasets are currently moderated to ensure the content constitutes research data, is scientific in nature, and doesn’t solely contain a previously published research article. Personal accounts have a maximum limit of 10 GB per dataset.
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ZenodoDeveloped by CERN under the EU FP7 project OpenAIREplus. Currently accept up to 50GB per dataset and users may deposit restricted files with the ability to share access with others if certain requirements are met.
Domain-Specific Repositories
This is a selective list of domain-specific resources, including genomics and clinical. To locate more, please use the directories listed above or reach out to a librarian.
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Open NIH-supported domain-specific data repositoriesRepositories in this list have current NIH funding, sustained support, open data submission and access, and open time frame for data deposit.
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Other NIH-supported domain-specific resourcesThis list includes repositories that restrict data submission to a specific set of researchers, as well as those that limit who may access the data.
Other Resources
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Pitt Data Catalog (PDC)Allows University of Pittsburgh health sciences researchers to share and discover datasets, software, and code. The PDC is NOT a repository. Instead, it resembles a library catalog—each record describes a dataset with relevant information and provides instructions for access.
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Google Dataset SearchEnables users to find datasets, no matter their location, through a familiar interface and simple keyword search.
Citing Data
Data citations allow the impact of data to be tracked, are separate from publication citations and enable credit to be given to author(s).
Two citation templates are commonly accepted:
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DataCite.orgCreator (Year): Title. Publisher. Identifier--such as a DOI.
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FORCE11Author (Year): Title. Distributor/Repository, Version. Identifier--such as a DOI.
Data Journals
Data journals are a means to share datasets and provide detailed information about the methods and instrumentation used to acquire the data. Below is a selected list of open access data journals for the health sciences. The journals that are indexed and findable in PubMed are denoted.
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GigaScienceIndexed in PubMed
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Scientific DataIndexed in PubMed
COVID-19 Research Data
Note: This content is not a complete or exhaustive listing of possible resources. For more resources: see the NIH Open-Access Data and Computational Resources page and HSLS MolBio COVID-19: Resources
Generalist Repositories
These resources have COVID-19 specific portals that can be used to to share, discover, reuse, and cite COVID-19 data and code.
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Elsevier - COVID-19 Research EnvironmentMendley Data federated search across several repositories. Datasets are organized in 4 collections: epidemiology & infectious modelling; public health, and societal and psychological impacts; genetics, genomics & molecular structure; and vaccine, prevention, diagnosis & treatment.
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figshare - COVID-19 Open Research DataResearch datasets, preprints, and figures related to COVID-19.
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GitHub - COVID-19 Public Repository DataComprehensive versioned dataset of the repositories and relevant related metadata about public projects hosted on GitHub related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and associated COVID-19 disease.
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Harvard Dataverse - Resources for COVID-19 (China Data Lab)Center for Geographic Analysis (CGA) of Harvard University and the China Data Institute, a Michigan based not-for-profit organization, are collaborating on the development of China Data Lab, a cloud-based geospatial data analysis platform for geospatial data gathering, management, analysis, visualization, and sharing.
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openICPSR - COVID-19 Data RepositoryData collection focusing on the social, behavioral, public health, and economic impact of the novel coronavirus global pandemic from the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR)
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Open Science Framework - Coronavirus Outbreak Research CollectionAggregate of COVID-19, SARS, SARS-CoV, MERS, and MERS-CoV research outputs (data and other materials).
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Zenodo - Coronavirus Disease Research CommunityOpen access research articles and datasets related to COVID-19. Curated by a selected team of experts nominated by OpenAIRE.
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COVID Digital Pathology RepositoryContains clinical and imaging data from individuals who have received a COVID-19 diagnosis or whose symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.
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VivliShare your COVID-19 clinical research data. Vivli will waive all fees associated with the sharing, archiving and requesting of your COVID-19 trials.