Direct comparison
Arctic Data Center vs. NSIDC DAAC
Compare the NSF Arctic Data Center and NASA's NSIDC DAAC on scope, funder, metadata standards, and DOI/licensing to pick the right polar data repository.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Arctic Data Center | NSIDC DAAC |
|---|---|---|
| Funder / designating body | U.S. National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, Arctic Sciences Section | NASA, via the Earth Science Data and Information System (EOSDIS) |
| Operating institution | National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), UC Santa Barbara, with DataONE and NOAA NCEI as partners | National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), University of Colorado Boulder, within CIRES (CU Boulder / NOAA joint institute) |
| Disciplinary scope | All products of NSF-funded Arctic research: natural sciences (geoscience, oceanography, ecology, atmospheric science, biology) and social sciences (archaeology, anthropology) alike | Cryosphere specifically: snow cover, sea ice, ice sheets/shelves, glaciers, frozen ground/permafrost, soil moisture, and related climate-interaction data |
| Data sources accepted | Field observations, models, software, documents, and provenance from NSF Arctic-funded projects generally | NASA Earth-observing satellite missions, airborne campaigns, and field observations focused on the cryosphere |
| Who can typically submit | Researchers on NSF Office of Polar Programs (Arctic) awards | NASA-funded missions, instrument teams, and PIs on relevant NASA Earth Science awards |
| Metadata standard | Ecological Metadata Language (EML) | ISO 19115-2, per NASA/EOSDIS metadata implementation guidance |
| Persistent identifiers | DOI assigned to each published dataset | DOI assigned to data products through the EOSDIS DOI program |
| Licensing | Depositor chooses an open license, typically CC0 or CC-BY | Data are freely accessible; users must have a free NASA Earthdata Login and are expected to cite the data per the product's landing-page citation |
| Certification | CoreTrustSeal certified | CoreTrustSeal certified (Regular Member, World Data System) |
| Best fit | NSF-funded Arctic field research, including non-cryosphere and social-science Arctic data with no natural NASA DAAC home | Satellite/airborne/field cryosphere data tied to a NASA mission or Earth Science award |
Common questions
FAQ
Can I deposit the same dataset in both the Arctic Data Center and NSIDC DAAC?+
Yes, if the data genuinely falls within both remits — for example, field validation data for a NASA cryosphere mission collected under an NSF Arctic award. Each repository issues its own DOI, and cross-referencing the two records is normal practice; check with both repositories' data-support teams on the intended workflow before submitting to avoid version-of-record confusion.
Is NSIDC DAAC only for satellite data?+
Its primary focus is satellite and airborne remote-sensing data from NASA missions, but it also archives associated field (in-situ) observations that support or validate those missions, provided the data is within its cryosphere scope and NASA-funded.
Does the Arctic Data Center only accept Arctic data?+
Yes — its remit is specifically Arctic research funded through NSF's Office of Polar Programs, Arctic Sciences Section. Antarctic and non-polar NSF-funded data are not in scope.
Which repository should I list in my NSF Arctic DMP?+
For NSF Office of Polar Programs (Arctic) awards, the Arctic Data Center is the expected default and should generally be named explicitly in the data management plan's repository section, unless your program officer or award terms specify otherwise.
