

What is an API? What is OAuth?

API stands for Application Programming Interface; it specifies how programs can interact with each other. The ORCID API specifies how an outside program can interact with the ORCID Registry to retrieve and update data in the Registry.

OAuth is an open standard for authorization between computer systems. Through OAuth, ORCID researchers share access to their ORCID record with another program. Learn more about OAuth on our Member Support Center: Introduction to OAuth.

If you are new to APIs and OAuth we suggest attending one of our Getting Started with your ORCID Integration webinars to get an overview of get an introduction to the technology ORCID uses.

Frequently Asked Questions about the ORCID API

  1. Is the Sandbox different from the Production Registry?
  2. What does this error code mean?
  3. How are organizations identified in ORCID?
  4. Can data on an ORCID record be entirely private?
  6. How can I find out when a researcher edits their record?
  7. What if the researcher already has an ORCID record and registers a new one?
  9. How will I be notified of changes and updates to the API and schema?
  10. Does the API have an admin page?
  11. How long do access tokens last? Can I get one that doesn’t expire?
  12. What version of the schema should I use?
  13. What is an API? What is OAuth?
  14. Why don't I see email addresses in the ORCID records I access?
  15. Who controls the ORCID record?
  16. How do you check for duplicate ORCID records?
  17. Why am I not receiving messages from the Sandbox?
  18. Can I create ORCID records for my researchers using the API?
  19. What information is required when adding a work?
  20. What's the difference between the Public and Member APIs?
  21. What citation format do you prefer?
  23. What information should I add about work contributors?
  26. What schema does ORCID use?
  27. What is an integration?
  28. How do redirect URIs work?

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