How to deposit
Get your data and documentation ready
When preparing for deposit, data should be in a non-proprietary format, for example as CSVs rather than Excel spreadsheets (see guidance). A full list of file formats we will accept, including advice on the file format you should convert your data to prior to deposit, is available.
You will be asked to provide appropriate metadata plus any additional supporting documentation that may help others to use it.
Let us know when you're ready to deposit
When you're happy that your data is ready, please complete a deposit request form to let us know. It's very simple and we don't ask for a lot of information. We just need some very basic details about your data such as:
- how was it funded
- (roughly) how big is it
- what format is it
- etc.
Agree terms
Once we've received your request, we'll be in touch to let you know what you need to do and when you need to do it - we will guide you step-by-step.
Before any data is handed over, we agree key details including:
- the format of the data to be deposited
- the volume of data to be handed over
- what documentation is to be provided
- any licensing arrangements
- when the data will be made available to the public (for example, after any embargoes)
The details are formally agreed in a document called a Service Agreement.
Hand over the data
At the appropriate time, we'll arrange for you to hand over your data and any associated documentation. You can upload your data directly to our website or via Dropbox.com, Google drive, or other file sharing sites
Once you've submitted your data, that's all you need to do! We'll take it from here:
We will check the data and documentation you submit and store it in a secure location which is continuously backed up.
We'll issue a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for the data, which will enable you and others using your data to cite it (see our DOI policy).
At the appropriate time (subject to any embargo period), we will make your data available via our Data Catalogue. We will also make your data available via other services such as the NERC data service, Google data search, Find open data and the EU INSPIRE portal.
Who can deposit?
Researchers whose work is funded by NERC, or those whose research falls under the area of the terrestrial or freshwater sciences can deposit data to the EIDC.
Why deposit?
Depositing your data to the EIDC ensures:
- secure, long-term storage
- future usability
- people will be able to discover and download the data
- you can obtain a DOI and make your data citable
- legal and funder requirements are met
- embargo periods and licensing are managed
Further help & guidance
A note about your personal data
During the deposit process we will ask for some personal data - your name, email address and affiliation. We will only use this information as part of long-term data archiving services for scientific research and development undertaken for NERC and hosted at UKCEH. You can find out more in our PRIVACY NOTICE.