Research Organization Registry (ROR)
An open registry of research and funding organisation identifiers, with records, search, API and exports for matching affiliations.
Compare this resource with other directory records →
An old affiliation and a renamed organisation: which ID should you keep?
- Display name
- Also read aliases and acronyms.
- Relationships
- Distinguish renaming, merger and succession.
- Search the name, then match location, domain and name variants.
- Read the record status and relationships to other organisations.
- For an older publication, check the affiliation at that time before replacing an ID.
Fictional example: a 2018 paper names Institute A, merged into B in 2024. Retain the historically correct affiliation for the 2018 reference; record the current relationship separately.
Your useful record: ROR ID, name at the relevant date, status and any relationship.
ROR describes organisations; it does not authenticate a researcher.
Editorial method informed by ROR — Data structure. Documentation consulted on . Examples are fictional exercises, not results from a live service test.
Identify an organisation across different names
ROR links persistent identifiers to organisation records. Match names, location and record links before choosing an ID. The registry identifies organisations; it does not authenticate every person claiming an affiliation.
- Access
- Registry search, API and export.
- Data
- Registry data made available under CC0.
- Historical affiliation
- A merger may link an organisation to a successor. An affiliation correct for an older publication should not automatically be replaced with the successor’s ID.
- Name forms
- ROR distinguishes acronyms, aliases, language labels and a display name. Aliases can mix current and historical forms: their presence does not date a name or establish it as the current official name.
- Fields without values
- A response can include empty arrays or null values. Treat them as unfilled information rather than inventing a date or relationship. When matching organisations, examine name, location and documented links together.
- Name variants
- names may contain acronyms, aliases and translations. Aliases can be current or historical without distinguishing the two: also compare the location and organization website.
Source: ROR — Data structure · consulted on - Registry status
- active denotes an active organization; inactive one that has ceased operations or research activity; withdrawn a record created in error, such as a duplicate. These are not assessments of research quality.
Source: ROR — Data structure · consulted on
Does a ROR ID authenticate a researcher?
No. It identifies an organisation. A person’s identity and affiliation require separate checks.
Initial profile documentation
Initial profile documentation consulted on . Added details carry their own source and consultation date above.
Practical methods for this resource
Editorial selection, without website certification. Read our method.