An embargo allows you to create a data record, but publish it at a specific point in the future. Typically, the files are embargoed and remain private to you, while the metadata is findable to the world.

A common reason for this is that you are waiting for the associated publication to be accepted by a publisher, or journal.

There are other reasons why you may need an embargo. In the cases below, we advise that you use https://www.re3data.org/ to find a repository based on your criteria and suitable for your research data, or ask your research funder if they can recommend a repository:

• There may be ethically or commercially sensitive data included.
• You may not have explicit permission or consent to make the data publicly available.

Please don’t embargo files by default! If your files are deidentified and do not contain sensitive information, or you have explicit informed consent to share, it is best practice to publish them openly.