Use the Template:
Download and format your data using the official IHFC Data Submission Template to ensure consistency. (Download Template). Consider the metadata format page and ensure that at least all mandatory fields are included. Filling also recommended fields allows to better evaluate the quality of your dataset. We therefore strongly recommend also to give as much information regarding the recommended fields. For detailed explanations of all required fields, we refer to the IHFC Database Definition Document.

Pre-Check & Quality Code Calculation
Before uploading, use the Python validation scripts to pre-check your dataset for errors (e.g. non-conform vocabulary, or violation of field formats). This ensures that data aligns with IHFC standards. You can also automatically assign a heat flow quality code and check how modification of your data will affect the quality evaluation.

• Data Validation Script – Checks for missing values and format inconsistencies
• Quality Code Calculation Script – If your data conforms to the IHFC data structure, this Python tool assigns the IHFC quality scores to your dataset

Running these tools before submission reduces errors and speeds up the review process.

Accepted File Formats:
Preferred: Excel (.xlsx)
Accepted: Text (.csv), Excel (.xlsx)

• Upload Process:
  Submit your (already published) data via the Data Submission page:
• DOI request (optional)
• If you would like to get a DOI for your data, please indicate this via the “DOI request” button on the Data Submission Page. This will link you to the Metadata Editor of GFZ Data Services where the DataCite metadata is collected.
   

Supporting Documents:
If applicable, include:
PDF of original publication or reports (for our internal review and data validation).
Supplementary data descriptions or additional baseline data (following the Data Description Templates of GFZ Data Services)

Step 1: Initial Check – The IHFC review team verifies data completeness and format compliance.

Step 2: Quality Review – Data undergoes peer validation and is assigned an IHFC quality code.

Step 3: Feedback & Approval – If corrections are needed, submitters will be contacted before final approval.

Step 4: Data Integration – Approved data is added to the Global Heat Flow Database and made available for public use.

By following these guidelines, you contribute to a high-quality, globally accessible dataset that supports scientific research and industry applications. The IHFC review team and the data curators of GFZ Data Services will help you fulfill these tasks. Once your data are registered with a DOI, they are also findable in external data portals, like B2Find, the Earth Data Portal  of the Helmholtz Association, and (in the future) the OneStop4All portal of the National Research Data Infrastructure for Earth System Sciences (NFDI4Earth).

• Ensure data accuracy – Avoid errors by using the pre-check tools before submission.
• Adhere to ethical standards – Only submit data you have permission to share.

• Follow metadata standards – Proper documentation makes your data more usable. The IHFC review team and the data curators of GFZ Data Services will ensure that the data are accurate and quality assured and that the machine-readable are appropriate and enriched with persistent identifiers wherever possible. 

   

Cite properly – If your dataset is based on published research, include proper citations to all sources. 
If you publish a new dataset with DOI, make sure to properly cite the data in the article and include the full reference in the “References” section. 
As an example, you may orientate yourself on the Springer Nature Data Policy.