Notice2021-13640
Request for Information To Improve Federal Scientific Integrity Policies
Primary source
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Published
June 28, 2021
Issuing agencies
Executive Office of the President
Abstract
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) seeks information to help improve the effectiveness of Federal scientific integrity policies to enhance public trust in science. The January 27, 2021 Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking (Memorandum) directs OSTP to convene an interagency task force under the National Science and Technology Council to review the effectiveness of policies developed since the issuance of the Presidential Memorandum on scientific integrity issued on March 9, 2009 in preventing improper political interference in the conduct of scientific research and the collection of data; preventing the suppression or distortion of findings, data, information, conclusions, or technical results; supporting scientists and researchers of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds; and advancing the equitable delivery of the Federal Government's programs. To support this assessment, OSTP seeks information about: (1) The effectiveness of Federal scientific integrity policies and needed areas of improvement; (2) good practices Federal agencies could adopt to improve scientific integrity, including in the communication of scientific information, addressing emerging technologies and evolving scientific practices, supporting professional development of Federal scientists, and promoting transparency in the implementation of agency scientific integrity policies; and (3) other topics or concerns that Federal scientific integrity policies should address. Please note the purpose of this RFI is not to receive reports on alleged offenses that are in violation of Federal scientific integrity policies. If you have witnessed or experienced any harmful acts that may undermine scientific integrity and you would like to report these allegations, please contact the Scientific Integrity Officer or Office of the Inspector General at the relevant Federal agency.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 121 (Monday, June 28, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 121 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34064-34066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13640]
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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Request for Information To Improve Federal Scientific Integrity
Policies
AGENCY: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
ACTION: Notice of request for information.
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SUMMARY: The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
seeks information to help improve the effectiveness of Federal
scientific integrity policies to enhance public trust in science. The
January 27, 2021 Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in
Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking
(Memorandum) directs OSTP to convene an interagency task force under
the National Science and Technology Council to review the effectiveness
of policies developed since the issuance of the Presidential Memorandum
on scientific integrity issued on March 9, 2009 in preventing improper
political interference in the conduct of scientific research and the
collection of data; preventing the suppression or distortion of
findings, data, information, conclusions, or technical results;
supporting scientists and researchers of all genders, races,
ethnicities, and backgrounds; and advancing the equitable delivery of
the Federal Government's programs. To support this assessment, OSTP
seeks information about: (1) The effectiveness of Federal scientific
integrity policies and needed areas of improvement; (2) good practices
Federal agencies could adopt to improve scientific integrity, including
in the communication of scientific information, addressing emerging
technologies and evolving scientific practices, supporting professional
development of Federal scientists, and promoting transparency in the
implementation of agency scientific integrity policies; and (3) other
topics or concerns that Federal scientific integrity policies should
address. Please note the purpose of this RFI is not to receive reports
on alleged offenses that are in violation of Federal scientific
integrity policies. If you have witnessed or experienced any harmful
acts that may undermine scientific integrity and you would like to
report these allegations, please contact the Scientific Integrity
Officer or Office of the Inspector General at the relevant Federal
agency.
DATES: Interested persons and organizations are invited to submit
comments on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on July 28, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and organizations should submit
comments electronically to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#095a6a606c677d606f606a40677d6c6e7b607d705b4f4049667a7d79276c6679276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83d0e0eae6edf7eae5eae0caedf7e6e4f1eaf7fad1c5cac3ecf0f7f3ade6ecf3ade4ecf5">[email protected]</span></a> and
include ``SI-FTAC RFI'' in the subject line of the email. Due to time
constraints, mailed paper submissions will not be accepted, and
electronic submissions received after the deadline cannot be ensured to
be incorporated or taken into consideration.
Instructions
Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each responding entity
(individual or organization) is requested to submit only one response.
OSTP welcomes any responses to inform and guide the work of the
Scientific Integrity Fast-Track Action Committee (SI-FTAC). Please feel
free to respond to one or as many prompts as you choose. Submission
must not exceed 7 pages in 12-point or larger font, with a page number
provided on each page. Responses should include the name of the
person(s) or organization(s) filing the comment, as well as the
respondent type (e.g., academic, advocacy, professional society,
community-based organization, industry, member of the public,
government, other). Respondent's role in the organization may also be
provided (e.g., researcher, administrator, student, program manager,
journalist) on a voluntary basis. Comments containing references,
studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely
published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced
materials. No business proprietary information, copyrighted
information, or personally identifiable information should be submitted
in response to this RFI. Please be aware that comments submitted in
response to this RFI may be posted on OSTP's website or otherwise
released publicly.
In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not
offers and cannot be accepted by the Federal Government to form a
binding contract. Additionally, those submitting responses are solely
responsible for all expenses associated with response preparation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please
direct questions to Ryan Donohue at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c390a0aaa6adb7aaa5aaa08aadb7a6a4b1aab7ba83acb0b7b3eda6acb3eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d380b0bab6bda7bab5bab09abda7b6b4a1baa7aa93bca0a7a3fdb6bca3fdb4bca5">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued a
Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through
Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking (2021 Memorandum).
The Memorandum asserts the
[[Page 34065]]
Administration's goal to develop sound policy to make evidence-based
decisions guided by the best available science and data, recognizing
that scientific and technological information, data, and evidence are
central to the development and iterative improvement of sound policies
and to the delivery of equitable programs across every area of
government. It emphasizes that political interference in the work of
Federal scientists and other scientists who support the work of the
Federal government and in the communication of scientific facts
undermines the welfare of the Nation, contributes to systemic
inequities and injustices, and violates the trust that the public
places in government to best serve its collective interests. The 2021
Memorandum reaffirms and builds on the Presidential Memorandum of March
9, 2009 (Scientific Integrity) and the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy's Memorandum of December 17, 2010
(Scientific Integrity), which together specify elements that scientific
integrity policies of Federal Departments and Agencies are to address.
The 2009 Presidential Memorandum articulates 6 principles to guide
recommendations for Presidential Action to guarantee scientific
integrity throughout the executive branch: (1) Selection and retention
of candidates for science and technology positions in the executive
branch should be based on the candidate's knowledge, credentials,
experience, and integrity; (2) Agencies should have appropriate rules
and procedures to ensure the integrity of the scientific process within
the agency; (3) Scientific and technical information used in agency
decisions should be subject to established scientific processes,
including peer review; (4) Agencies should make available to the public
the scientific or technological findings or conclusions considered or
relied upon in policy decisions (to the extent release is not
restricted); (5) Agencies should have in place procedures to identify
and address instances in which the scientific process or the integrity
of scientific and technological information may be compromised; and (6)
Agencies should adopt procedures, including whistleblower protections,
needed to ensure the integrity of scientific and technological
information and processes used for decision-making or otherwise
prepared.
The 2010 OSTP Memorandum provides further guidance to executive
departments and agencies for implementing scientific integrity
policies. It identifies 4 foundations of scientific integrity in
government: (1) Ensure a culture of scientific integrity by shielding
scientific data and analyses from inappropriate political interference
and preventing political officials from suppressing or altering
scientific or technological findings; (2) Strengthen the actual and
perceived credibility of government research through: Hiring decisions
based on candidates' knowledge, credentials, experience, and integrity;
ensuring data and research used to support policy decisions undergoes
independent peer review; setting clear standards for governing
conflicts-of-interest; and adopting whistleblower protections; (3)
Facilitate the free flow of scientific and technological information,
consistent with privacy and classification standards; and (4) Establish
principles for conveying scientific and technological information to
the public, including underlying assumptions and uncertainties. The
2010 OSTP Memorandum also establishes guidance for public communication
about scientific and technological matters that maximizes openness and
transparency with the media; use of Federal Advisory Committees tasked
with providing scientific advice; and professional development of
government scientists and engineers. It directs Agencies to report back
to OSTP on actions taken to develop and implement policies specified in
the memorandum.
By December 2016, 24 Federal departments and agencies had developed
and published policies to support scientific integrity. These agencies
and departments included all major U.S. science agencies (i.e., those
that conduct or fund scientific research), as well as departments and
agencies that issue regulations or use scientific findings in agency
decision-making. Most of the scientific integrity policies addressed
all four components of the 2010 OSTP Memorandum, and some addressed
additional topics not specified in the memorandum, such as the
importance of scientific integrity to the department's or agency's
mission. The report also noted considerable variation across
departments and agencies in scientific integrity policies and
practices, reflecting differences in their missions, fields of science
and technology supported, and organizational structures.
The 2021 Presidential Memorandum calls for the establishment of an
interagency task force (established as the SI-FTAC) of the National
Science and Technology Council (NSTC) to conduct a thorough review of
the effectiveness of agency integrity policies developed since the
issuance of the Presidential Memorandum of March 9, 2009 on scientific
integrity. Specifically, the 2021 Presidential Memorandum charges the
task force to: (1) Consider whether existing Federal scientific
integrity policies prevent improper political interference in the
conduct of scientific research and the collection of scientific or
technological data; prevent the suppression or distortion of scientific
or technological findings, data, information, conclusions, or technical
results; support scientists and researchers of all genders, races,
ethnicities, and backgrounds; and advance the equitable delivery of the
Federal Government's programs; (2) analyze instances in which existing
scientific integrity policies have not been followed or enforced; and
(3) identify effective practices for implementing scientific integrity
policies in specific areas of particular interest, including improving
the communication of scientific information, addressing emerging
technologies and evolving scientific practices, supporting professional
development of Federal scientists, and effective reporting practices
that promote transparency in the implementation of agency scientific
integrity policies and in the handling of any allegations of
misconduct.
This request for information aims to support the task force's work
by providing input from stakeholders on issues specified in the 2021
Presidential Memorandum and related topics. The information collected
in response to this RFI will inform the task force (SI-FTAC), OSTP, and
OMB as they work with Federal agencies and other stakeholders to review
the effectiveness of agency scientific integrity policies and
practices.
Information Requested: Respondents may provide information for one
or as many topics below as they choose. Input is welcome from
stakeholders, including members of the public, representing all
backgrounds and perspectives. Through this RFI, the SI-FTAC seeks
information on the current state of scientific integrity processes and
practices and the effect of these on trust in Federal science,
including on the following topics:
1. The effectiveness of Federal scientific integrity policies in
promoting trust in Federal science:
Information about the strengths and weaknesses of Federal
scientific integrity policies, including where additional efforts are
needed to meet the broad ambition to establish trust in Federal science
by protecting against: Political or other improper interference in the
conduct of scientific research, the
[[Page 34066]]
collection of scientific or technological data, and the utilization of
science in decision-making; suppression or distortion of scientific or
technological findings, data, information, conclusions, or technical
results; disproportionate harm to Federal scientists and researchers
from groups that are historically underrepresented in science,
technology, and related fields; or equitable delivery of the Federal
Government's programs. Of interest is information about how perceived
shortfalls in scientific integrity affect public trust in science and
about mechanisms Federal agencies could use to detect or deter
potential violations of scientific integrity policies before they
occur. [Please note: We do not seek reports on alleged offenses that
are in violation of Federal scientific integrity policies; we ask that
you not provide names of individuals who have been or may be accused of
engaging in or subjected to such practices, personally identifiable or
sensitive information, or specific allegations that should be handled
through other appropriate channels, such as law enforcement, Scientific
Integrity Officers, or an Office of Inspector General].
2. Effective policies and practices Federal agencies could adopt to
improve the communication of scientific and technological information:
Consider practices related but not limited to: Engagement of
Federal scientists and contractors working on scientific matters with
news media and on social media; protection of scientific independence
during clearance and review processes; avoidance of political or other
improper interference in research or data collection; differentiation
in official government communications of references to scientific
publications and peer-reviewed research versus science-based or
science-informed policy statements and determinations.
3. Effective policies and practices Federal agencies could adopt to
address scientific issues and the scientific workforce:
Consider practices related but not limited to: Handling scientific
disagreements about research methods and conclusions; addressing gaps
in current scientific integrity policies related to emerging
technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine-learning, and
evolving scientific practices, such as citizen science and community-
engaged research; supporting the professional development of Federal
scientists; supporting scientists and researchers of all genders,
races, ethnicities, and backgrounds and advance the equitable delivery
of the Federal Government's programs; and Ensuring the independence,
autonomy, and effectiveness of scientific integrity officials and chief
science officers.
4. Effective practices Federal agencies could adopt to improve
training of scientific staff about scientific integrity and the
transparency into their scientific integrity practices:
Consider practices related but not limited to: Educating and
informing employees, contractors, and grantees in scientific and
technical positions, as well as those who manage, communicate, or make
decisions based on science and technology, of their rights and
responsibilities related to agency scientific integrity policies;
reporting practices that promote transparency in the implementation of
agency scientific integrity policies and in the handling of any
allegations of misconduct; communicating to the public about alleged
lapses in scientific integrity, substantiated violations of scientific
integrity policies, and remedial actions taken; and minimizing
conflicts of interest in Federal science and research misconduct.
5. Other important aspects of scientific integrity and effective
approaches to improving trust in Federal science:
Consider other elements that should be included and addressed in
the scientific integrity policies of Federal agencies, beyond those
specified in the 2009 Presidential Memorandum, 2010 OSTP Memorandum,
and 2021 Presidential Memorandum. Consider also effective practices, in
addition to those specified above, that Federal agencies could put in
place to improve scientific integrity and public trust in Federal
science, including for proactively promoting rigorous, objective
scientific research and streamlining implementation within and across
Federal departments and agencies.
Dated: June 22, 2021.
Stacy Murphy,
Operations Manager.
[FR Doc. 2021-13640 Filed 6-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3270-F1-P
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