New NIDDK GUID services for privacy-preserving record linkage

Here is the information from the NIDDK Central Repository (NIDDK-CR):

"Dear NIDDK-funded investigators and study teams,

We are pleased to announce that the NIDDK Central Repository (NIDDK-CR) now provides access to the NIH Centralized Global Unique Identifier (GUID) system, a powerful, privacy-preserving record-linkage service available to eligible NIDDK-funded projects.

A GUID is a unique, randomly generated code that enables you to link participant data across time, sites, and studies—without sharing personally identifiable information (PII). This approach supports secure, long-term follow-up and cross-study analyses while maintaining the highest privacy standards.

Why consider using the GUID system in your study?

• No personal data is transferred; only encrypted values are used.
• Facilitates combining participant data when individuals participate in multiple studies.
• Reduces duplicate records and improves data completeness.
• Supports multi-study collaboration, harmonization, and meta-analysis.
• Integrates smoothly with existing clinical trial, EHR-linked, or self-report data workflows.

Projects that may qualify include:

• Longitudinal or multi-site clinical studies
• Co-funded projects requiring cross-study data linkage
• Studies needing secure, privacy-preserving methods for participant-level data tracking

Cost & Implementation Support
Server setup, implementation, and maintenance are supported by NIH CIT and the NIDDK-CR, allowing investigators to adopt GUID services at no or modest cost.

Interested in using GUIDs?
Investigators should reach out to the NIDDK-CR Program staff, Dee Cooper and Rebecca Rodriguez, to discuss study eligibility and next steps.

Additional information, including a video demonstration of GUID generation, is available at:  
https://bricsguid.niddk.nih.gov/about

We encourage you to consider integrating GUIDs into your project to enhance data quality, support long-term analyses, and expand opportunities for collaboration."


Source and more information: 
1. NIDDK-CR email
2. https://bricsguid.niddk.nih.gov/about