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ERIC

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What ERIC is

ERIC is a searchable digital library for education research, with bibliographic records for journal and non-journal literature dating from 1966 onward. Its collection includes journal articles, books, research syntheses, conference papers, technical reports, theses and dissertations. Advanced search and filters help narrow results to peer-reviewed material or records with full text available on ERIC; some records offer downloads. ERIC accepts both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed material, and identifies peer-reviewed records when a source has demonstrated an acceptable review process. Subject descriptors from the ERIC Thesaurus are assigned to documents; the thesaurus lists 4,578 descriptors, 7,219 synonyms and 132 dead terms, and was last updated in 2025. The API accepts HTTPS requests and can return XML, JSON or CSV. Requests default to 20 records, with the rows parameter adjustable from 20 to 200. The free service is available on the web and by API, and is administered by the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance at the Institute of Education Sciences.

Who it suits

ERIC suits educators, parents, policymakers, researchers and members of the public looking for education research. It can also serve people who need API access or subject-based discovery through its Thesaurus.

What it does well

Free access through web and API.
Coverage includes journal and non-journal literature.
Filters identify peer-reviewed and full-text records.
API returns XML, JSON or CSV.
Thesaurus descriptors support subject searching.

What to know first

Collection selection policy limits what is included.
Some records do not have full text available.
Online submissions require a PDF no larger than 100 MB.
IES grantee full text has a 12-month embargo.

Limits

Some records do not have full text available on ERIC. API requests default to 20 records, with the rows parameter adjustable from 20 to 200; IES grantee full text displays after a 12-month embargo.

Getting started

Open https://eric.ed.gov/ to search the collection.
Use advanced search and apply peer-review or full-text filters as needed.
For programmatic requests, use the API over HTTPS and select XML, JSON, or CSV output.
To submit material, check that it meets ERIC’s selection policy and that you hold the required rights.
Upload an eligible submission as a PDF no larger than 100 MB.

Verdict

ERIC offers free discovery of a broad range of education research, with advanced search, peer-review indicators and API access. Readers should note that selection criteria shape the collection and that full text is not available for every record.

Questions

Is ERIC free?

Yes. ERIC is listed as free, with a free plan.

What does ERIC cover?

It provides bibliographic records of journal and non-journal education literature from 1966 to the present, including both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed material.

Can I access ERIC through an API?

Yes. Its API accepts HTTPS requests and can return XML, JSON, or CSV results.

Is full text available for every record?

No. Search results identify records with full text available on ERIC, and some records offer a download option.

Can I submit material to ERIC?

ERIC accepts eligible education research that meets its selection policy. Online submissions require a PDF up to 100 MB, and submitters must be authors, copyright holders, or authorized representatives who grant ERIC the stated license.

Who sponsors ERIC?

ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences and administered by its National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance.

Facts from ERIC's own pages

API: ERIC provides an API, and its product guide includes materials about using the API to export search results. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
API pagination: The API example says results default to 20 records per request and the rows parameter can be set from 20 to 200. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
Audience: ERIC’s mission serves educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and the public. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Coverage: ERIC provides bibliographic records of journal and non-journal literature from 1966 to the present. · ies.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Founded: 1966 · eric.ed.gov, 28 Sept 2026
Full text: ERIC search results identify records with full text available on ERIC and provide a download option for some records. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Headquarters: Washington, DC, United States · eric.ed.gov, 28 Sept 2026
History: ERIC was founded in 1964 to collect and share education research. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
IES grantee embargo: For IES grantee submissions, full text will display in ERIC 12 months after the publication date. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
Limits: ERIC’s selection policy states that the collection includes journal articles and non-journal materials selected under its criteria. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Peer review: ERIC accepts peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed material, and marks records as peer reviewed when the source has demonstrated an acceptable peer-review process. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
Purpose: ERIC is an online bibliographic and full-text digital library of education research, including journal articles and non-journal materials. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Search: The site provides a searchable collection with advanced search and filters including peer-reviewed and full-text availability. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Search filters: The collection search offers filters for peer-reviewed material and full text available on ERIC. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
Selection policy: ERIC’s selection policy describes criteria for selecting sources and individual education research materials for the digital library. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Sponsor: ERIC is administered by the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance at the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Submission eligibility: ERIC accepts education research that meets its Selection Policy criteria and does not index textbooks, lesson plans, blogs, or HTML-only text. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
Submission file limit: The online submission page requires a PDF upload with a maximum size of 100 MB. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
Submission rights: Submitters must be authors, copyright holders, or authorized representatives and grant ERIC a royalty-free, perpetual, and irrevocable license to index and display submitted materials. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
Support: ERIC’s site lists FAQ and Contact Us links, and its product guide offers free videos, infographics, and recorded webinars about ERIC. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Thesaurus: The ERIC Thesaurus contains 4,578 descriptors, 7,219 synonyms, and 132 dead terms, and was last updated in 2025. · eric.ed.gov, 3 Oct 2026
Thesaurus size: The Thesaurus page states that it contains 4,578 descriptors, 7,219 synonyms, and 132 dead terms, and was last updated in 2025. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026
What it is: ERIC is a free, searchable online library of education research sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences. · eric.ed.gov, 2 Oct 2026

Where ERIC stands on Freedom251

Academic Research Databases#14 of 35