Guidance for selecting a repository for research data is as follows:
First, look for a reliable and robust repository for your disciplinary area or data type. If none exists, use your University’s local data repository, if it accepts your data type. Otherwise, select a good generalist repository if your data can be shared without restriction. You will want to consider cost efficiency when choosing a repository to maximize your project budget, but also consider the requirements for using the repository.
If you need help selecting a repository that meets the sharing and stewardship requirements of your data, email the UNL Libraries Research Data Team. You may wish to explore the following repository catalogs and lists, which include free options.
- FAIRsharing.org
- Registry of Research Data Repositories (re3data)
- NIH generalist repositories
- NIH specialty repositories
- Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
- Papers with Code
- Roper Center
What are desirable characteristics in a data repository? There are many characteristics that are desirable in a data repository, but it can be very difficult to achieve them all. There are certifications that repositories can achieve, but these tend to be very rare. In 2022, the National Science and Technology Council released guidance on this topic that covered organizational infrastructure, digital object management, technology, and additional considerations for human data.