OpenNeuro

OpenNeuro is a free, open platform for sharing neuroimaging data, with a focus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets. It enables researchers to deposit, host, and share raw and processed data to promote transparency, reproducibility, and reuse across studies and analyses.

Datasets on OpenNeuro are required to be organized according to the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) standard. The platform provides automated validation checks to ensure that data, metadata, and accompanying documentation conform to BIDS specifications, supporting interoperability and easier reuse by other researchers.

OpenNeuro supports multiple MRI modalities, including structural (anatomical) MRI, functional MRI, and diffusion-weighted imaging, among others. Datasets are assigned persistent identifiers and can be released under open data licenses to facilitate broad access. Some datasets may require controlled access or data use agreements due to participant consent, privacy, or institutional policies. Users can browse, search, download, and programmatically access datasets through available interfaces.

In addition to data hosting, OpenNeuro offers tools for data provenance and versioning, allowing researchers to track changes and preserve a record of dataset development. The platform provides programmatic access via an API and supports interoperability with common neuroimaging software workflows.

Governance of OpenNeuro involves a collaborative effort among researchers, institutions, and contributors, with policies aimed at protecting participant privacy, ensuring data integrity, and promoting responsible reuse. Funding and institutional support come from a range of research grants and partner organizations in the neuroimaging community.

OpenNeuro has become a widely used resource for methodological development, meta-analyses, and educational purposes, reinforcing the campus-to-global ecosystem of open neuroscience and standardized data sharing through BIDS.