Definition · Plain-language
Figshare
Figshare is a cloud-based academic repository that enables researchers to preserve, share and cite their diverse research outputs, including datasets, figures, media and software code.
The step most authors miss
Doing CRediT right? Don’t stop at the statement.
A CRediT statement credits you inside one paper. The recognition CRediT was built for happens when those roles are tied to you, persistently. Sign in with your ORCID — free — and claim your CRediT contributions on casrai.org, the home of the standard. They become a verified, portable part of your identity, not a line that disappears into one PDF.
Free: claim your contributions, then export a journal-ready CRediT statement, schema.org structured data, JATS XML, CSV or BibTeX — and preview your public profile. A membership publishes that profile publicly and verifies the journals you serve.
Features and output formats
Figshare accepts a wide range of research formats, unlike traditional journals that prioritise formatted articles. Researchers upload datasets, software, code, presentations, posters and 3D visualisations. The platform renders these directly in the web browser, allowing peers to inspect raw materials. Every item receives a citable Digital Object Identifier (DOI), ensuring that non-traditional research outputs can be tracked in academic citations. This capability enables scholars to receive credit for their entire research output rather than just the final published paper. By visualising files online, Figshare makes scientific data more interactive and accessible, helping researchers communicate complex findings to a broader audience.
Data curation and licensing
Authors retain copyright over their files whilst choosing how to distribute them through standardised Creative Commons licences. Figshare facilitates the enrichment of metadata by prompting users to categorise files with subjects, keywords and project descriptions. This structure ensures that files comply with the FAIR data principles, making scientific outputs findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. The repository also permits embargo periods, allowing researchers to prepare data and secure patents before public release. This control over licensing and visibility helps scholars manage their intellectual property while meeting open-access requirements, balancing public sharing with private interests nicely. This customizable approach to data sharing helps researchers balance public transparency with the need to protect sensitive research findings.
Institutional integration and open science
Universities and research institutions use customised versions of Figshare to manage their repository requirements and track research outputs. By centralising data storage, institutions monitor compliance with national and international funder mandates that require open access to raw research data. The platform integrates with other research tools, including GitHub, ORCID and Altmetric, creating a linked ecosystem where data contributions are credited, tracked and preserved in long-term archives. This institutional integration helps universities demonstrate the impact of their research portfolios, manage compliance with open-science policies, and provide scholars with a secure workspace for their data assets. This robust archiving structure ensures that valuable research outputs remain discoverable and cited in the global literature.
Key facts
At a glance
- Assigns citable Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to all uploaded research outputs
- Supports diverse file formats including datasets, figures, code and presentations
- Provides flexible licensing options using standard Creative Commons licences
- Ensures compliance with FAIR data principles and funder open-access mandates
- Integrates with external academic platforms like ORCID, GitHub and Altmetric
- Allows embargo periods to protect sensitive data prior to formal publication
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: Figshare is only for storing final datasets linked to published journal articles.
Actually: It is a repository for all stages of research, accommodating pilot studies, code, figures and presentations that may not fit in journals.
Often heard: Uploading files to Figshare means losing ownership of your intellectual property.
Actually: Authors retain copyright and control distribution by selecting CC-BY or other Creative Commons licences during the submission process.
Common questions
FAQ
Is Figshare free for individual researchers to use?+
Yes, individual researchers can create a free account to upload and share data up to a specified storage limit, with public files made available under open licences. Institutional versions provide expanded storage and curation controls.
Can I edit or delete data on Figshare after it is published?+
Once a DOI is generated, the record cannot be deleted to preserve the academic record. However, you can publish revised versions of the item under the same DOI stub, with version history clearly tracked.
Going deeper
