PID services

SND leads the Swedish DataCite Consortium, enabling Swedish research organizations to assign DOIs independently to materials such as articles, theses, research data, software, and other relevant digital objects. A DOI can be created manually using a web-based tool or by using the DataCite API in services and applications. 

A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a type of persistent identifier (PID), which is a unique string of characters used to identify, cite, and locate digital objects on the internet. Assigning DOIs creates persistent digital references, making it possible to find and use digital material such as documents, web resources, and other files. If material needs to be moved, the DOI can be redirected to a new web link. DOIs have become particularly important for identifying materials used in research activities. 

DataCite is one of the leading infrastructures for assigning and maintaining DOI identifiers. When a DOI is assigned or updated, descriptive metadata are stored with DataCite and can then be retrieved by a wide range of stakeholders. 

DOIs via DataCite are assigned automatically to research data deposited in data repositories integrated with DORIS, as part of the DORIS service. 

Target group 

Research organizations and research infrastructures. 

Access to a DataCite DOI 

Members of the SND Network can gain access to DataCite’s DOI infrastructure through the Swedish DataCite Consortium. Contact SND at pid@snd.se for further information and instructions. 

Pricing 

Free of charge for DOIs assigned to research data through DORIS. For other uses, fees are billed based on cost recovery in accordance with DataCite’s fee model. 

More information 

Guidelines for DataCite accounts via Swedish National Data Service (SND) (in Swedish) 

DataCite documentation 

DataCite fees 

As a member of the international ePIC Consortium, SND offers organizations the possibility to assign ePIC identifiers to research data and other digital objects. ePIC is a type of persistent identifier (PID), consisting of a unique string of characters used to identify and locate objects. 

ePIC is a simpler PID system based on the Handle system, providing straightforward redirection to the digital object. The redirect can be updated if the material is moved. The service does not include descriptive metadata. 

ePIC has many potential areas of use. A central idea behind the service is to make it easy to create identifiers for material throughout the research lifecycle by automating workflows. For example, ePIC can be used to identify collected research data or intermediate outputs during processing, and it can be used for both internal and publicly available material. The service can also be used in systematic processes where it is not yet clear what may become important to identify or cite in the future. 

To assign ePIC identifiers to digital objects, the ePIC API must be used, which enables integration with services and workflows. 

Target group 

Research organizations and research infrastructures.

Access to ePIC

Access is available to organizations that are members of the SND Network. Contact SND at pid@snd.se for further information and instructions.

Pricing

Fees for the assignment of ePIC identifiers are available by agreement.  

More information 

ePIC documentation