Researchers can obtain a non-commercial licence to access ECMWF products and services. See licences available to researchers.

Research licences are subject to approval by management and Handling Charges may still apply. See data pricing information.

How to get a licence to use ECMWF data for research

  1. Go to our Product Requirements Catalogue 
  2. Under 'Home' you can choose, if you would like to configure real-time data, archive data or web products
  3. Once you are happy with your order, you will be asked to Create order (or add to basket and select more products - then create order).
  4. You will see pricing information (this will be the full price before any discounts) - just keep going!
  5. Submit your order and select your location, then select your Licensor.
  6. As you complete the ordering process - you will see the option to request a research licence.
  7. Please ensure that you add a comment to your request to indicate the details of your research project. 
  8. Wait to hear back from your Licensor. See what happens after placing your order for ECMWF data.


Remember that ECMWF members (National meteorological services (NMHS) of ECMWF Member and Co-operating States and their authorised users) are granted full access to ECMWF products and services. See access to forecasts.

Conditions of licences for researchers

Your research should comply with the following definition from the ECMWF Standard Licence Agreement: 

Research Project: Any time bound** project organised for non-commercial research purposes only, where an ongoing/continuous service based on ECMWF Products is not permitted without written consent from the Licensor. A necessary condition for the recognition of non-commercial purposes is that all the results obtained are openly available at delivery costs only, without any delay linked to commercial objectives, and that the research itself is submitted for open publication.

** Research licences cannot be longer than the duration of the project itself and up to a maximum of 3 years, whichever is shorter. A research licence may be renewed for research projects lasting longer than 3 years.

  • Ongoing service provision (non-time-limited), even when free-of-charge or by non-profit organisations, do not qualify for a research licence. 
  • Research licences cannot be used for commercial R&D.

Find out more about licences for ECMWF products and services.

More information about access for researchers to ECMWF products

See more information about access to ECMWF products for researchers.



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