Introduction to RAiD in Scholarly Spaces
Publications have DOIs, researchers have ORCID iDs, and institutions have ROR IDs. However, tracking the ‘research project’ itself as a distinct entity has remained a challenge. The Research Activity Identifier (RAiD) fills this gap by providing a unique persistent identifier for projects.
What is the Research Activity Identifier (RAiD)?
Managed by the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) and recognized as an international ISO standard (ISO 23520), RAiD is a persistent identifier designed specifically for research activities and projects. It serves as a digital container that links together all the people, publications, funding, and equipment associated with a specific project.
How RAiD Connects the PID Graph
Unlike static publication DOIs, a RAiD is dynamic. As a project progresses, administrators update the RAiD record with new team members (ORCIDs), new datasets (DataCite DOIs), new papers (Crossref DOIs), and new funding awards, linking all these elements in a single, machine-readable project graph.
Integrating RAiD in Institutional Grant Systems
By minting a RAiD at the moment a grant is awarded, universities establish a central source of truth for the project lifecycle. This identifier is shared with funding bodies, partner institutions, and repositories, automating administrative reporting, simplifies tracking, and improves compliance auditing.
Key Data and Comparative Metrics
| Scholarly Asset | Associated Identifier System | RAiD Integration Function |
|---|---|---|
| Project Contributors | ORCID iD | Maps researcher roles and timelines within the project. |
| Project Outputs | Crossref / DataCite DOIs | Aggregates all published papers, datasets, and software. |
| Project Institutions | ROR ID | Links lead institutions and international collaborators. |
| Project Funding | Funder Award ID / Grant DOI | Tracks specific funding awards supporting the project. |
Actionable Checklist for RAiD
- Familiarize your research office with the ISO 23520 RAiD standard.: Familiarize your research office with the ISO 23520 RAiD standard.
- Apply to become a RAiD registration agency or partner institution.: Apply to become a RAiD registration agency or partner institution.
- Mint a unique RAiD identifier at the inception of all newly funded research projects.: Mint a unique RAiD identifier at the inception of all newly funded research projects.
- Configure research management software to associate ORCIDs and DOIs with project RAiDs.: Configure research management software to associate ORCIDs and DOIs with project RAiDs.
- Leverage RAiD data to automate multi-institution reporting and closeout evaluations.: Leverage RAiD data to automate multi-institution reporting and closeout evaluations.
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