Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump is Restoring Gold Standard Science in America

5/23/2025
Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

  • Objective: Restore Gold Standard Science as the core of Federal scientific research to rebuild public trust and ensure objective, rigorous analysis in policymaking.
  • Gold Standard Science Principles: Emphasizes reproducibility, transparency, falsifiability, unbiased peer review, clear communication of errors and uncertainties, healthy skepticism, interdisciplinary collaboration, and acceptance of negative results without conflicts of interest.
  • Agency Directives:
    • Federal agencies must realign both new and existing programs with these scientific principles.
    • Agencies are to publicly share all relevant scientific data, models, analyses, and conclusions.
    • Agencies are required to document uncertainties and apply a “weight of scientific evidence” approach in decision-making.
  • Implementation Timelines:
    • Office of Science and Technology Policy, in collaboration with agency heads, must issue guidance within 30 days.
    • A progress report on implementation is due within 60 days.
  • Context and Criticism of Past Practices:
    • Criticizes previous administrations (specifically citing examples from the Biden Administration) for manipulating science for political ends.
    • Highlights instances such as the CDC’s altered guidance on school reopenings, flawed projections by the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the controversial use of the RCP 8.5 scenario.
  • Call to Excellence: Urges American researchers across academia, industry, and philanthropy to return to core scientific principles and safeguard the open exchange of ideas, including dissenting perspectives.
  • Broader Strategic Impact:
    • Intended to reinforce America’s global technological and scientific leadership.
    • Complements broader initiatives in artificial intelligence, quantum information science, nuclear technology, biotechnology, and increased domestic investments in R&D.

Risks & Considerations

  • The Executive Order’s emphasis on “Gold Standard Science” could lead to increased scrutiny and changes in how research is conducted and reported at Vanderbilt University. This may require adjustments in research methodologies to align with the new federal standards.
  • There is a potential risk of funding shifts, as federal agencies may prioritize projects that adhere strictly to these principles. Vanderbilt may need to reassess its current research projects to ensure compliance and continued funding.
  • The focus on transparency and reproducibility could necessitate additional resources for data management and sharing, impacting the university’s budget and operational strategies.
  • Vanderbilt’s research community might face challenges in adapting to the new standards, particularly if existing projects are based on methodologies that do not fully align with the “Gold Standard Science” principles.
  • The order’s call for interdisciplinary collaboration and acceptance of negative results may open new opportunities for research innovation but could also require cultural shifts within research teams.

Impacted Programs

  • Vanderbilt’s Research Centers may need to implement new protocols to ensure compliance with the Executive Order’s requirements for transparency and reproducibility.
  • The Office of Research might need to provide additional training and resources to faculty and researchers to align with the new federal guidelines.
  • Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs could see changes in curriculum and training to emphasize the principles of “Gold Standard Science,” preparing students for the evolving research landscape.
  • The Data Science Institute at Vanderbilt may play a crucial role in supporting data management and sharing initiatives, ensuring that research outputs meet the new transparency standards.

Financial Impact

  • There may be a need for increased investment in data infrastructure and management systems to support the transparency and reproducibility requirements, impacting the university’s financial planning.
  • Vanderbilt could experience shifts in federal funding priorities, necessitating strategic adjustments in grant applications and research focus areas to align with the new standards.
  • Opportunities for securing federal grants may increase for projects that demonstrate adherence to “Gold Standard Science” principles, potentially benefiting the university’s research funding landscape.
  • The emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation could attract new partnerships and funding opportunities from industry and philanthropic organizations.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of research programs and methodologies.)

Key Actions

  • Vanderbilt’s Research Administration should align its research programs with the principles of Gold Standard Science as outlined in the Executive Order. This includes ensuring that research is reproducible, transparent, and free from conflicts of interest, which will enhance the credibility and impact of Vanderbilt’s scientific contributions.
  • The Office of Federal Relations should engage with Federal agencies to understand the new guidance on scientific integrity and data transparency. By doing so, Vanderbilt can ensure compliance and potentially influence the development of these guidelines to benefit its research initiatives.
  • Vanderbilt’s Science and Technology Policy Program should conduct workshops and training sessions for researchers to familiarize them with the new standards of scientific rigor and integrity. This will prepare the university’s researchers to adapt to the changing landscape and maintain high standards in their work.
  • The Department of Environmental Science should evaluate its research methodologies and assumptions, particularly in climate science, to ensure they align with the Gold Standard Science principles. This will help in maintaining the integrity and reliability of environmental research conducted at Vanderbilt.
  • Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center should explore opportunities in artificial intelligence, quantum information science, nuclear technology, and biotechnology, as these are identified as key scientific priorities. By focusing on these areas, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in cutting-edge research and innovation.

Opportunities

  • The Executive Order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Centers to enhance their reputation by adopting and promoting the principles of Gold Standard Science. This can attract new partnerships and funding from Federal agencies and private sectors that value scientific integrity.
  • By aligning with the Executive Order’s emphasis on open exchange of ideas and consideration of dissenting viewpoints, Vanderbilt can foster a more inclusive and dynamic research environment. This can lead to innovative solutions and breakthroughs in various scientific fields.
  • The focus on educational and workforce development in artificial intelligence technology offers Vanderbilt’s Engineering School an opportunity to expand its curriculum and training programs. This can prepare students for emerging job markets and enhance the university’s role in shaping the future workforce.
  • The emphasis on securing investments in U.S.-based technology and research provides Vanderbilt with the chance to attract funding and resources for its research initiatives. By demonstrating adherence to the highest standards of scientific rigor, the university can become a preferred partner for investment.

Relevance Score: 4 (The Executive Order necessitates major process changes to align with new scientific integrity standards and presents significant opportunities for research and innovation at Vanderbilt.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.6

Timeline for Implementation

  • Guidance issued within 30 days
  • Implementation progress reported within 60 days

Relevance Score: 4

Impacted Government Organizations

  • Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): The Executive Order directs the OSTP Director to collaborate with agency heads to implement Gold Standard Science principles across Federal agencies.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Referenced in the context of previous scientific guidance under the Biden Administration, indicating that revisions in scientific policy will impact how the CDC uses science in decision-making.
  • National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): Mentioned regarding previous reliance on flawed scientific projections, implying that its future operations must align with the restored Gold Standard Science principles.

Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of Federal Agencies are directly impacted by the Executive Order.)

Responsible Officials

  • Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy – Charged with coordinating with agency heads to issue specific guidance on adopting Gold Standard Science principles within 30 days and reporting implementation progress within 60 days.
  • Agency Heads – Responsible for aligning new and existing programs with the Gold Standard Science directives, ensuring transparency, and managing public data sharing and accurate scientific communication.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives affect agency heads and a high-level director responsible for cross-agency coordination.)

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