JGI's single sign-on (SSO) service allows users to authenticate their identity, provide additional information about themselves (when required) and be associated with bodies of work so they can gain privileged access to data before it is made public.  Furthermore, when a user logs in once, they are logged in to other JGI sites that they visit.

As mandated by Executive Order 14028, JGI's new log in  workflow will require the use of multi-factor authentication to improve security.  Additionally, as of July 27, 2026, JGI will be requiring the use of an ORCID account for non-JGI employees to authenticate themselves.

A Walkthrough of JGI's Login Process

Getting Started

1. Start at your JGI site of interest (Data Portal, IMG, SMC, Mycocosm, Phycocosm, Phytozome, GOLD or Proposals)

   1. JGI's login page

2. Press the "Login" button

3. Press "Sign In with ORCID" (see Figure 1)

ORCID: Create or Use an Existing ORCID Account

1. See Figure 2

2. Option 1: Use your existing ORCID account to login

   1. Skip to step 4: Authorize Access

3. Option 2: Create a new ORCID account

   1. Provide your name & email address

      1. If you have an already-existing login at JGI and you want to maintain privileged access to your old datasets, we recommend that you use the same email address (when creating a ORCID) as the one that you use with JGI.

         1. If you are not quite sure which email address you used for your already-existing JGI login, visit https://signon.jgi.doe.gov to make sure (check) which email address you used by logging in.

      2. Otherwise, you will need to contact us to have your accounts merged properly.

   2. Current Employment (see Figure 3)

      1. If ORCID cannot find your organization or if you are a student, skip this form using the link at the bottom of the page.

   3. Visibility Level (see Figure 4 or ORCID help page)

      1. At minimum, select "Trusted Parties" and grant JGI access later

      2. Select "Everyone" if you do not want to have to grant access to each organization at which you use your ORCID

4. Authorize Access (see Figure 5)

   1. Allow JGI to see your ORCID ID

5. At this point, you should be redirected back to JGI's SSO page

JGI: Link Your ORCID Account to Your JGI Account

1. See Figure 6

2. If possible, use the same email address as you used for your ORCID

   1. Enter the verification code into the prompt (see Figure 7)

      1. If the code expires (10 minutes), you will need to return to the JGI portal you started from and restart the login workflow by pressing the "Login" button - ie, you will be starting from the beginning of these instructions.

         1. You will not have to re-create your ORCID account and should be taken to the verification step quickly.

ORCID: Activate Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

1. See the ORCID help page

NOTE: this is also called Two-factor authentication (TFA)

2. Go to your ORCID Account Settings

3. Find and expand the Two-factor authentication section

4. Click Turn on two-factor authentication (see Figure 8)

5. You will be presented with a QR code

6. (If you do not have one) Download and install your preferred Authenticator App

   1. Recommendations from ORCID (link)

   2. Google search (link)

7. Use your authenticator app to scan the QR code

8. Enter the 6-digit code into the ORCID window to confirm your authenticator is working

9. Copy your recovery codes to a secure location

10. Click Enable two-factor authentication