Quick Guide for Faculty: Setting Up and Managing Your ORCID Profile

Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Sign up for an ORCID iD or Connect Your Existing ORCID iD to your NetID

• Visit the NU Validate page and click on Link ORCID to create an ORCID iD or link your existing ORCID iD to your Northwestern NetID.
  • Choose an option:
    • Create a new ORCID iD
    • Connect your existing ORCID iD
  • Follow the prompts to complete the process.

More on Sign up for an ORCID iD or Connect Your Existing ORCID iD to your NetID.

2. Granting Delegate (Trusted Individual) Access

Trusted individuals, also called delegates, can help manage your ORCID profile by adding or editing information on your behalf.

Note:

• Delegates cannot change your password or perform actions requiring email verification.
• Delegates must sign up for and have an ORCID BEFORE you can make them a delegate.

Steps to add a delegate:

1. Log in to ORCID. Click your name at the top of your profile.
2. Select Trusted Parties.
3. Scroll to Search for ORCID users to add as trusted individuals. Note trusted individuals need to have an ORCID. 

More on adding a trusted individual to your account. 

Optional: Enhance Your ORCID Profile

Adding information about your education, works, and funding to your ORCID profile is optional but highly recommended. Doing so enhances your profile's completeness and discoverability, ensuring accurate attribution of your academic and professional contributions. This can be especially valuable for showcasing your work to collaborators, funders, and institutions.

1. Add Works (Publications, Datasets, etc.)

• Use the Search and Link Wizard

  • Import publication data directly from trusted databases:
    • DataCite: Adding Works from DataCite.
    • Scopus: Adding Works from Scopus.
    • CrossRef: (more coming soon).

• Manually Add Works

  • Enter work details manually when a DOI or other identifier is unavailable:
    Adding Works Manually.

• Use Identifiers to Add Works

  • Add works using:
    • DOIs: Adding Works Using DOIs.
    • PMIDs: Adding Works Using PMIDs.

• Use the BibTeX File Import Tool

  • Import multiple works from a BibTeX file:
    Adding Works Using a BibTeX File.

2. Add Funding Information

• Manually Add Funding

  • Follow this guide to input funding details manually:
    Adding Funding Manually.

• Use the Dimensions Search and Link Wizard

  • Utilize the Dimensions Wizard to import funding information directly:
    Adding Funding Using Dimensions.

3. Connect ORCID to Other Systems

• eRA Commons: See Quick Guide for Faculty: Compliance with NIH's Adoption of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support
• SciENcv: See Quick Guide for Faculty: Compliance with NIH's Adoption of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support 
• Northwestern Elements (for Feinberg School of Medicine Only):
  • Connecting ORCID with Northwestern Elements.

4. Adjust Visibility Settings for Your ORCID Records

ORCID allows you to control who can see the information in your profile by adjusting visibility settings for each record. This ensures you can manage privacy while still sharing key details with collaborators, funders, and the public.

1. Navigate to the section of your profile (e.g., Works, Funding, Education) you want to edit.
2. Locate the visibility icon next to the record (green globe, orange padlock, or red padlock).
3. Click the icon and select your desired visibility:
   • Public (Everyone): Recommended for most information to maximize discoverability and transparency.
   • Trusted Parties: Only visible to organizations or individuals you’ve granted access to.
   • Private (Only Me): Only you can view this information.

By making your records public, you increase the chances of your work being discovered and credited, which is particularly beneficial for works, funding, and professional affiliations.

5. Need Help?

• Contact the Northwestern ORCID Support Team: DL_NUL_ORCiD@e.northwestern.edu
• Consult the ORCID Help Center: Trusted Individuals.
• Consult the Northwestern University Libraries ORCID Guide: https://libguides.northwestern.edu/orcid
• Consult the Galter Health Sciences Library ORCID Guide: https://libguides.galter.northwestern.edu/orcid