OpenNeuro
Overview
OpenNeuro is an open-access repository for neuroimaging data operated by the Stanford Center for Reproducible Neuroscience. All datasets must be formatted in BIDS, which is validated automatically on upload. It hosts over 1,000 datasets as of 2024 covering MRI, fMRI, EEG, MEG, iEEG, and PET modalities, released under CC0 or PDDL licences with a DOI minted for each dataset version. The versioning backend is DataLad, built on Git and git-annex, with dataset snapshots implemented as git tags and mirrors hosted on GitHub and datasets.datalad.org. OpenNeuro is a recommended data repository for Nature Scientific Data, PLOS, eLife, and several other publishers. As of April 2025, OpenNeuro was removed from the Recherche Data Gouv list of trusted thematic repositories. The France perspective covers the background.
Submission
Datasets are uploaded via the OpenNeuro web interface, the OpenNeuro CLI tool, or directly via Amazon S3. The BIDS Validator runs automatically on upload and must pass before a dataset can be published. Datasets may be held under an optional 36-month embargo before public release, during which access is restricted to the submitter and designated collaborators. Anonymous read-only reviewer links allow dataset access to peer reviewers without public release, enabling data sharing during journal peer review. Multiple collaborators can be granted write access to a dataset.
Versioning and Identifiers
Every dataset version receives a persistent DOI minted via DataCite, enabling citation of specific snapshots. An internal OpenNeuro Accession Number is also assigned. Changes are tracked in the Git history of each dataset, providing a full audit trail of modifications. Dataset mirrors on GitHub and datasets.datalad.org ensure availability during service interruptions.
Access
Datasets can be accessed via direct web download, the DataLad CLI (lightweight install with deferred file retrieval), the OpenNeuro CLI, or direct Amazon S3 access. Metadata for each snapshot is indexed for search and accessible programmatically via the OpenNeuro GraphQL API.
Connections
Resources
- https://openneuro.org
- https://openneuro.org/faq (FAQ and usage guide)
- https://github.com/OpenNeuroOrg/openneuro (source code)
- https://docs.openneuro.org (documentation)