OSTP Issues Agency Guidance for Gold Standard Science
6/23/2025
Action Summary
- Guidance Issued: OSTP Director Michael Kratsios releases agency guidance on integrating Gold Standard Science, per President Trump’s EO.
- Core Tenets: Emphasis on reproducibility, transparency, falsifiability, interdisciplinary research, merit-based peer review, communication of uncertainties, recognition of negative or null results, and disclosure of conflicts of interest.
- Reporting Requirements: Federal agencies must report publicly within 60 days on initiatives reflecting Gold Standard Science in research culture, funding, award selection, and overall research activities.
- Broader Impact: Intended to transform federal science management and bolster public trust while reinforcing the U.S. position as a global leader in rigorous, evidence-based science.
- Collaborative Approach: Encouragement for universities, journals, industry, and philanthropic sectors to adopt similar standards, enhancing the entire research ecosystem.
- Strategic Focus: Establishing scientific integrity to address complex challenges, including energy innovation and national security, as part of the Golden Age of American Innovation.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order’s emphasis on “Gold Standard Science” could lead to significant changes in how research is conducted and evaluated at Vanderbilt University. The focus on reproducibility, transparency, and interdisciplinary research may require adjustments in current research methodologies and practices.
- There is a potential risk of increased administrative burden as federal agencies and universities, including Vanderbilt, may need to align their research activities with the new standards. This could involve revising grant applications, reporting processes, and peer review systems.
- The directive to disclose conflicts of interest and communicate uncertainties may necessitate enhanced training and compliance measures for researchers at Vanderbilt to ensure adherence to these new requirements.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes could impact its research funding opportunities, particularly if federal agencies prioritize projects that align with the Gold Standard Science principles.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Research Administration will likely need to implement new policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Gold Standard Science guidelines, potentially affecting all research departments.
- The Office of Sponsored Programs may need to provide additional support and resources to faculty and researchers to help them navigate the new requirements for federal funding applications and reporting.
- Interdisciplinary Research Centers at Vanderbilt could see increased opportunities for collaboration and funding, as the Executive Order emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to scientific inquiry.
- The Office of Compliance and Integrity may need to enhance its oversight and training programs to address the new focus on transparency and conflict of interest disclosures.
Financial Impact
- The implementation of Gold Standard Science principles may lead to changes in the allocation of federal research funding, potentially affecting Vanderbilt’s research budget and priorities.
- Vanderbilt University might experience shifts in its funding landscape, with potential increases in funding for projects that align with the new standards, while other areas may face reduced support.
- There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure additional funding for research initiatives that emphasize reproducibility, transparency, and interdisciplinary collaboration, aligning with the Executive Order’s goals.
- The need for compliance with new reporting and evaluation standards could result in increased administrative costs for Vanderbilt, as additional resources may be required to support these efforts.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of research practices and compliance requirements.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Research Administration should align its research practices with the Gold Standard Science principles outlined in the executive order. This includes enhancing reproducibility, transparency, and interdisciplinary research efforts to ensure compliance with federal expectations and to position the university as a leader in scientific integrity.
- The Office of Federal Relations should actively engage with federal agencies to understand the new reporting requirements and funding opportunities related to the Gold Standard Science initiative. By doing so, Vanderbilt can better align its research proposals and increase its chances of securing federal funding.
- Vanderbilt’s Science and Technology Departments should incorporate training and workshops on the principles of Gold Standard Science for faculty and researchers. This will help in fostering a culture of scientific integrity and excellence within the university.
- The Office of Communications should develop strategies to effectively communicate Vanderbilt’s commitment to these principles, thereby enhancing public trust and the university’s reputation in the scientific community.
- Vanderbilt’s Ethics and Compliance Office should review and update its policies on conflict of interest disclosures to ensure they meet the new federal standards, thereby maintaining the integrity of the university’s research activities.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt to lead in interdisciplinary research initiatives that align with national priorities such as energy innovation and national security. By leveraging its diverse academic strengths, Vanderbilt can contribute significantly to these critical areas.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the emphasis on scientific integrity by hosting conferences and workshops that bring together academia, industry, and government to discuss best practices in research transparency and reproducibility.
- The focus on rebuilding public trust in science offers Vanderbilt an opportunity to engage in public outreach and education initiatives that highlight the university’s contributions to evidence-based science and innovation.
- By aligning with the Gold Standard Science principles, Vanderbilt can enhance its collaborations with federal agencies and other research institutions, potentially leading to increased funding and partnership opportunities.
Relevance Score: 4 (The executive order necessitates major process changes to align with new federal research standards and offers significant opportunities for leadership in scientific integrity.)
Timeline for Implementation
Agencies are required to report back publicly on relevant initiatives within 60 days.
Relevance Score: 3
Impacted Government Organizations
- White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): This office is central to issuing the guidance and overseeing the implementation of the Gold Standard Science tenets across federal research agencies.
- Federal Research Agencies: The directive mandates that all federal research agencies incorporate the Gold Standard Science principles into their research practices, including improved transparency, reproducibility, and peer review.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 government agencies/groups are directly affected by this directive.)
Responsible Officials
- White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Michael Kratsios – Issued the guidance and is responsible for overseeing that federal research agencies incorporate the Gold Standard Science tenets into their operations.
- Federal Research Agency Heads – Tasked with implementing the directive by enhancing research practices and reporting their progress publicly within 60 days.
Relevance Score: 4 (Directives affect agency heads who are responsible for high-level changes in research practices.)