WASHINGTON, DC – In a move that echoes the grand ambitions of his administration, President Trump has called upon federal agencies to embrace what is being dubbed “Gold Standard Science” through a newly issued Executive Order. The directive, articulated by Michael Kratsios, the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, aims to weave foundational principles of scientific integrity into the fabric of government research.
The Executive Order instructs federal research institutions to bolster their commitment to practices such as reproducibility, transparency, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of merit-based peer review and the communication of uncertainties, alongside the acknowledgment of negative or null results and the disclosure of conflicts of interest. Agencies have a tight 60-day deadline to publicly report on their initiatives, detailing how these principles will be integrated into their cultures, funding strategies, award selections, and research activities.
“The Gold Standard Science Executive Order heralds a transformative shift in how we conduct and manage scientific inquiry at the federal level,” stated Director Kratsios. “Our goal is to fortify scientific rigor, restore public trust, and ensure that the United States remains the beacon of evidence-based science on the global stage.” However, he cautioned that federal agencies are merely one cog in the larger machinery of the nation’s research ecosystem. Universities, scientific journals, industry players, and philanthropic organizations all share in the responsibility of elevating research quality, and this executive action aims to inspire a collective improvement across the scientific community.
In his memo, Kratsios elaborates on the necessity of Gold Standard Science, citing the imperative of scientific integrity in addressing pressing challenges—ranging from energy innovation to national security. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancement and increased public scrutiny, the expectation is clear: federal science must operate above reproach.
As President Trump leads what he describes as a “Golden Age of American Innovation,” he underscores the importance of mending the frayed relationship between the public and the scientific community. The Restoring Gold Standard Science Executive Order is presented as a roadmap to rejuvenate the federal scientific enterprise, positioning the U.S. to maintain its technological dominance on the world stage.
For further details, please refer to the memo HERE.
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