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Presidential Memorandum

Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking

This memorandum directs federal agencies to strengthen scientific integrity policies, prevent political interference in research, and ensure evidence-based policymaking. It creates a Task Force to review existing policies, mandates new agency scientific integrity officials, requires updates to inconsistent materials from the prior administration, and directs OMB to improve evidence-building plans.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 8845

Impact dates

  1. Agencies with existing policies submit updated scientific-integrity policies

  2. Agencies without existing policies submit draft scientific-integrity policies

  3. Task Force completes initial review of agency scientific-integrity policies

  4. Task Force develops framework for regular assessment of scientific-integrity policies

  5. Agencies review and update inconsistent reports, data, and materials issued since January 20, 2017

  6. OMB Director issues guidance on evidence-building and annual evaluation plans

  7. Agencies designate Chief Science Officers and Scientific Integrity Officials

  8. Agency heads complete 90-day review of scientific advisory committees and submit summary

  9. Agencies review and update inconsistent website content

Key directives

  • OSTP Director shall ensure highest level of integrity in executive branch scientific and technological processes
  • OSTP Director shall convene interagency Task Force on Scientific Integrity
  • Task Force shall complete review within 120 days of member appointment
  • Task Force shall develop framework for regular assessment of agency scientific-integrity policies within 120 days of initial report
  • Agency heads shall ensure activities follow 2009 and 2010 memorandum principles
  • Agencies with existing policies submit updated policies within 180 days of Task Force report
  • Agencies without existing policies submit draft policies within 180 days of Task Force report
  • Agencies shall review and update inconsistent website content within 60 days of memorandum
  • Agencies shall review and update inconsistent reports/data/materials issued since January 20, 2017 within 300 days
  • Agencies shall publish annual reports on scientific-integrity investigations
  • OMB Director shall issue guidance on evidence-building plans within 120 days
  • Agency heads shall expand open and secure access to Federal data for researchers

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Memorandum takes effect
  • Agency heads directed to begin 90-day review of scientific advisory committee needs

Near term (90d)

  • Agency heads complete 90-day review of advisory committees and submit summary to OSTP Director and OMB Director (by April 27, 2021)
  • Agencies review and update inconsistent website content within 60 days (by March 28, 2021)
  • OMB Director issues guidance on evidence-building plans within 120 days (by May 27, 2021)
  • Agencies designate Chief Science Officers and Scientific Integrity Officials within 120 days (by May 27, 2021)

Long term

  • Task Force completes initial 120-day review after member appointment
  • Task Force develops framework within 120 days of initial report publication
  • Agencies submit updated or draft scientific-integrity policies within 180 days of Task Force report
  • Agencies review and update inconsistent reports/data/materials within 300 days (by November 23, 2021)
  • Biennial OSTP reporting on implementation begins
  • Annual agency reports on scientific-integrity investigations commence

Risks & tensions

  • Task Force timeline depends on unspecified appointment date of members, creating uncertainty for subsequent deadlines
  • Requirement to update materials inconsistent with memorandum principles since January 20, 2017 implicitly targets prior administration actions without explicit revocation
  • Data sharing provisions may conflict with privacy laws and national security classifications
  • Diversity requirements for advisory committees may face legal challenges if interpreted as quotas
  • Annual reporting and biennial OSTP reporting create durable accountability mechanisms but depend on sustained administrative attention
Presidential Memorandum: Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking · Executive Orders