DataCite Metadata Is Now Integrated in OpenAlex

DataCite and OpenAlex have launched a new integration to amplify the discoverability and impact of open research, with over 92 million DataCite DOIs now available in OpenAlex.

DataCite member organizations that register DOIs will now see their research outputs and resources indexed in OpenAlex. And OpenAlex users can now access a more complete picture of the research landscape with diverse research outputs like datasets, preprints, dissertations, software and other DataCite items.

For both DataCite and OpenAlex, this integration represents an important milestone in their shared objectives to make research information more open, connected, and easy to access. It is also a landmark example for the global research community of how open infrastructures can amplify impact through connections and interoperability. 

"At DataCite, our services are about more than just getting a DOI. Member organizations register DataCite DOIs so their research outputs and activities can be broadly discoverable in downstream systems and services. The OpenAlex integration is a major step forward that expands the reach of DataCite metadata on a vast scale and makes research information and insights more available to everyone."

OpenAlex was established in 2022 as a successor to the Microsoft Academic Graph and has rapidly grown in size and scope to become the world's most comprehensive and open catalog of research information. Incorporating DataCite as a new primary data source is a key development that will make OpenAlex an even more complete index and deliver more value to users worldwide.

"The mission of OpenAlex is to gather, connect, and openly publish information on all scholarly knowledge. Ingesting DataCite records is a massive stride forward for us in that mission. But it is also a powerful demonstration of our newly launched backend system, which makes integrating with open data sources easier and faster. We appreciate DataCite collaborating on this work and hope that our collaboration will encourage more organizations to register DOIs with DataCite and more open infrastructures to partner with us. Our goal is ambitious, but we can achieve it together."

Inside the integration

Starting November 1, 2025, the new OpenAlex system, which includes DataCite records, will be the default throughout OpenAlex. So whether you're using the snapshot, the API, or the UI, DataCite records will be seamlessly integrated as part of the experience. Users can already begin to explore these records through the live Beta, and for those keen to dive in early, instructions are available on the OpenAlex blog. A custom search filter “indexed_in:datacite” also allows users to explore only DataCite to get a better sense of the change. 

In the chart above (generated by this query), you can see that most of the new DataCite works currently in OpenAlex are datasets. The inclusion of this many datasets would be a significant enhancement to OpenAlex on its own, but integrating DataCite has also boosted OpenAlex’s coverage of articles, preprints, books, dissertations, and much more. 

Hidden in the 'other' category are even more exciting record types. OpenAlex is actively working on type classification changes to better represent the diversity of records currently classified as 'other'. Some of the new types that have been added include: 

• Research instruments: Example DataCite DOI and corresponding OpenAlex record from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
• Research projects: Example DataCite DOI and corresponding OpenAlex record from the University of California Gump South Pacific Research Station and Institut Louis Malardé
• Software: Example DataCite DOI and corresponding OpenAlex record from CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research

Next up: metadata refinements, ongoing harvesting, and a community webinar

Moving forwards, the benefits and impact of this integration will continue to grow as OpenAlex fine-tunes the representation of DataCite records and harvests new DOI metadata coming into DataCite. For research organizations, it will now be even easier to get works indexed in OpenAlex—they just need to register DOIs with DataCite. If any metadata looks off, let the OpenAlex team know at support@openalex.org. 

At the same time, DataCite will continue to advance strategic activities focused on metadata quality and usability to optimize how DataCite DOIs are represented in OpenAlex as well as in other downstream services.

To learn more about what this integration means for DataCite Members and see how to explore DataCite metadata in OpenAlex, join us at an open community webinar on November 6, and reach out to the DataCite and OpenAlex support teams for information and assistance at any time.