May 2026
Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) alone cannot deliver the connected scholarly record that research depends on. Effective infrastructure requires open identifiers, rich metadata, reliable services, and sustainable governance — all three together. Crossref urges policymakers to evaluate PID infrastructure holistically — looking beyond short-term convenience to the depth of metadata, services, and long-term sustainability on offer.
Get the macro view to set horizon-level direction. Understand how PID choices shape the long-term success of your mission.
Evaluate systems holistically — cost and convenience aren’t the whole picture. A framework for backing a plan that’s robust and future-proof.
Know what good implementation looks like before you commit. Practical criteria for choosing and deploying PID infrastructure that will stand up over time.
PIDs are a means to an end — their value lies in the metadata and services built around them.
Not all DOIs are equivalent — different Registration Agencies offer fundamentally different services, metadata, and governance.
Interoperability is critical — implementing identifier systems without evaluating their interoperability undermines the goal of a connected research record.
Sustainability and governance matter as much as technical standards — assess PID agencies against established frameworks such as Principles of Open Scholarly Infrastructure (POSI).
National open science strategies should focus on open infrastructure overall — PID adoption is just one element of achieving a connected, open scholarly record.
