Scientific Integrity at NOAA: Policy At-a-Glance
NOAA’s Scientific Integrity Policy (NAO 202-735D.2) promotes a continuing culture of scientific excellence and integrity and ensures the integrity of the agency’s scientific activities used to inform management and policy decisions. The policy is intended to strengthen universal confidence—from scientists to decision-makers to the general public—in the quality, validity, and reliability of NOAA science, while recognizing NOAA’s employees as its principal science asset.
The policy applies to all “covered individuals,” which includes all NOAA employees, contractors, and recipients of NOAA funding who engage in, communicate, or rely upon its scientific activities. Together with its Procedural Handbook, the policy sets forth principles, responsibilities, prohibitions, and procedures to protect scientific integrity and address allegations of scientific or research misconduct or loss of scientific integrity.
The “policy at-a-glance” below offers a quick introduction to the policy. You can review the full policy here.
At-a-Glance:
Why Protecting Scientific Integrity is Important to the NOAA Mission and Public Trust
- NOAA’s mission depends on credible science.
NOAA’s scientific activities provide the foundation for its service and stewardship responsibilities, including research, analyses, observations, modeling, forecasting, and decision support that affect lives, ecosystems, and economies.
- Scientific integrity ensures NOAA science is rigorous, objective, transparent, and reliable.
Adhering to professional values and practices for the conduct, use, and communication of scientific and technical information helps ensure clarity, objectivity, reproducibility, transparency, and traceability in NOAA science, and protects it from bias, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and interference.
- Strong scientific integrity builds confidence in NOAA’s decisions.
NOAA’s scientific integrity policy is designed to strengthen confidence—from scientists, to decision-makers, to the general public—in the quality, validity, and reliability of NOAA science used to inform policy and management decisions.
- Science and policy have different roles—but both rely on integrity.
NOAA recognizes a clear distinction between the scientific process and policy decisions made based on scientific results.
- Protecting integrity safeguards NOAA’s scientists and the scientific process.
The NOAA policy affirms NOAA’s commitment to a culture that supports its employees—its principal science asset—and protects scientists from interference, censorship, or suppression of scientific findings.
- Public trust depends on open and accurate communication of science.
NOAA’s commitment to scientific integrity supports timely, clear, and accurate communication of scientific or technical findings to decision-makers and the public, consistent with peer review, information quality standards, and open government principles.
Core Principles and Values that Govern NOAA Science
- Scientific integrity is grounded in professional values and practices.
NOAA science is conducted in ways that ensure objectivity, clarity, and reproducibility, and that protect scientific work from bias, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, interference, and censorship.
- Scientific integrity must be preserved throughout the scientific lifecycle.
NOAA preserves the integrity of the scientific activities it conducts and the activities that are conducted on its behalf, and does not tolerate loss of integrity in the performance of scientific activities or in the application of science in decision-making.
- Transparency and traceability are fundamental expectations.
NOAA documents scientific findings, methods, assumptions, uncertainties, and supporting data so that the scientific products resulting from NOAA’s scientific activities can be understood, evaluated, and verified, consistent with applicable disclosure and open science requirements.
- NOAA supports open and timely dissemination of scientific results and data.
NOAA ensures the free flow of scientific information in all formats and covered individuals are encouraged to publish and disseminate scientific findings through reputable peer-reviewed journals and appropriate public outlets, consistent with open government, data sharing, and records requirements.
- Scientific findings should be communicated clearly, accurately, and with context.
NOAA communicates scientific and technological findings by explaining underlying assumptions, providing the context of uncertainties, and describing probabilities associated with both optimistic and pessimistic projections of best-case and worst-case scenarios.
- Peer review and information quality guidelines and protocols are core safeguards.
Scientific results and research used to support decision-making undergo independent peer review by qualified experts, where feasible and appropriate, consistent with NOAA’s Information Quality Guidelines, peer review of Fundamental Research Communications guidelines, and applicable law.
- Scientists may speak openly about scientific and technical matters related to their official work.
Covered individuals may speak freely to the media and the public about scientific and technical ideas, approaches, findings, and conclusions based on their official work, subject to Department and NOAA guidance on public communications and protections for non-public information.
- Personal or expert opinions must be clearly distinguished from official policy.
When presenting viewpoints that extend beyond scientific findings to include personal or expert opinions, covered individuals must make clear they are not speaking on behalf of NOAA or the Department of Commerce and use appropriate disclaimers.
- NOAA supports the professional development and engagement of its scientists.
NOAA encourages its scientists and engineers to advance their professional stature by publishing, presenting, collaborating with peers, participating in professional societies and advisory bodies, serving on editorial and review panels, and receiving professional honors and awards, consistent with ethics laws and agency policy.
- NOAA promotes a culture of scientific excellence and accountability.
NOAA provides training, guidance, and institutional support to ensure covered individuals understand their responsibilities and to enhance scientific integrity through continuous improvement and cooperation with the broader scientific community.
Actions that Undermine Scientific Integrity and Are Prohibited
- Fabricating, falsifying, or plagiarizing scientific work is prohibited.
Making up data or results, manipulating or omitting data so research is not accurately represented, or appropriating another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without appropriate credit undermines scientific integrity and constitutes scientific and research misconduct.
- Suppressing or interfering with science is prohibited.
Covered individuals must not suppress, alter, censor, or otherwise impede the content or timely release of scientific or technological findings or conclusions, except where explicitly required by statute or other legal authority.
- Intimidation or coercion related to scientific findings is prohibited.
Intimidating or coercing employees, contractors, recipients of financial assistance awards, or others to suppress, alter, censor, or otherwise impede the content or timely release of scientific or technological findings or conclusions is prohibited.
- Policy decisions must accurately reflect consideration of the best available science.
Scientific or technological findings relied upon in policy decisions must be subject to well-established scientific processes and must accurately reflect a composite of the best available science, consistent with applicable statutory standards.
- Using non-scientific factors to influence scientific review or approval of Fundamental Research Communications is prohibited.
Decisions to approve, revise, or withhold a Fundamental Research Communication must be based solely on scientific merit and may not be based on policy, budgetary, management, or political implications.
- Retaliation or adverse actions related to scientific integrity concerns are prohibited.
Retaliating against individuals who raise concerns, report allegations, or participate in scientific integrity processes—when done in good faith—is prohibited and protected under applicable whistleblower and personnel practice laws.
How Allegations are Reported, Reviewed, and Resolved
- Allegations of scientific or research misconduct or loss of scientific integrity may be submitted by internal or external parties.
An allegation is any statement, claim, or assertion of possible scientific misconduct, may be submitted in writing to NOAA’s Scientific Integrity Officer, and may be submitted by individuals or entities, internal or external to NOAA, including anonymously.
- All allegations are assessed to determine whether they are credible and warrant further review.
All allegations of scientific or research misconduct, or loss of scientific integrity, are assessed to determine whether they are sufficiently specific and credible to warrant an inquiry, recognizing that honest error, differences of scientific opinion, or disagreement with management decisions do not constitute misconduct.
- Credible allegations may proceed through inquiry and investigation using established procedures.
When warranted, allegations are examined through an inquiry and, if necessary, an investigation conducted by appointed officials and panels, following defined roles, timelines, evidentiary standards, and review requirements set forth in the Procedural Handbook.
- The process protects the rights and confidentiality of all parties.
NOAA seeks to ensure confidentiality, protect against prohibited personnel practices, and safeguard the rights and reputations of complainants, respondents, and witnesses, consistent with law and policy, throughout and following the review process.
- Findings may result in corrective, administrative, or personnel actions.
Findings of scientific misconduct or loss of scientific integrity may result in actions to correct the scientific record, personnel actions, referrals to the Office of Inspector General, or other appropriate administrative action, consistent with applicable law, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Allegations involving contractors and financial assistance recipients follow defined oversight responsibilities.
Organizations performing research under NOAA contracts or financial assistance awards have primary responsibility to prevent, detect, and investigate allegations of scientific misconduct, must notify NOAA of allegation inquiries and investigation outcomes, and are subject to NOAA review or additional action under award or contract terms. External parties may still contact the NOAA Scientific Integrity Officer with allegations if they have concerns, or for a pre-allegation consultation.
Who is Covered and What is Expected of Them
Responsibilities that Apply to All Covered Individuals
- Know and comply with NOAA’s scientific integrity requirements.
All covered individuals are expected to understand and adhere to NOAA’s scientific integrity policy, including the Principles of Scientific Integrity (Section 5), the Code of Scientific Conduct (Section 6), and the Code of Ethics for Science Supervision and Management (Section 8), as well as applicable statutes, regulations, and directives when performing their duties.
- Uphold honesty, objectivity, and professionalism in scientific activities.
Covered individuals must act honestly and objectively, accurately report results and methods used, disclose conflicts of interest, and avoid fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, interference, or other actions that result in the loss of scientific integrity.
- Protect the integrity of scientific information and products.
Scientific data, analyses, assessments, and communications must be developed, documented, reviewed, and disseminated in ways that preserve accuracy, transparency, and traceability.
- Do not suppress, alter, or interfere with the conduct or communication of science.
Under no circumstance may covered individuals suppress, alter, censor, or impede the content or timely release of scientific findings or conclusions, except where explicitly required by statute, regulation or other legal authority.
- Report suspected scientific or research misconduct.
Covered individuals are responsible for promptly reporting observed, suspected, or apparent scientific or research misconduct through established NOAA procedures.
Responsibilities of Scientists and Technical Staff
- Be honest in all aspects of scientific effort.
Scientists must clearly differentiate facts, assumptions, hypotheses, professional judgment, and personal opinions in reporting scientific results; approach all scientific activities objectively and completely; preserve the integrity of the data record; objectively consider conflicting data or studies; properly acknowledge contributions; and disclose actual, potential, or apparent conflicts of interest.
- Be accountable in conducting research and interpreting research results.
Scientists are responsible for using entrusted resources responsibly; disclosing all research methods used, available data, and publications consistent with scientific standards and guidelines; ensuring appropriate peer review prior to public dissemination; and providing scientific advice to NOAA as requested to inform management and decision-making.
- Be professional, fair, and respectful in scientific discourse.
Scientists should contribute to open and respectful scientific discourse that adheres to scientific standards for reporting; provide constructive, objective, and frank evaluation to others in their scientific activities such as peer review; and should not hinder the scientific activities of others, or engage in dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, coercive manipulation, or other scientific or research misconduct.
- Be good stewards of research on behalf of others.
Scientists must diligently create, use, preserve, document, and maintain physical specimens and data; adhere to quality assurance, records retention, and data protection requirements; comply with laws governing human subjects, animals, and natural and cultural resources; and respect confidential or proprietary information, including that of Tribes and other communities.
- Report scientific and research misconduct.
Scientists and technical staff are responsible for promptly reporting observed, suspected, or apparent scientific or research misconduct or loss of scientific integrity through established NOAA procedures. Individuals are encouraged, but not required, to contact the NOAA Scientific Integrity Officer for a confidential pre-allegation consultation.
Responsibilities of Supervisors and Science Managers
- Base personnel decisions on scientific merit and qualifications.
Supervisors must ensure that the selection, promotion, and retention of candidates for science and technology positions are based on the candidate’s integrity, knowledge, credentials, accomplishments, and experience relevant to the position. - Protect the integrity of scientific processes and products.
Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that appropriate rules, procedures, and training are in place to preserve the integrity of scientific work and the dissemination of scientific products. - Ensure merit-based review and approval of scientific communications.
Supervisors and managers must ensure that decisions to review, revise, and approve or not approve scientific communications—including Fundamental Research Communications—are based solely on scientific merit and not on policy, budgetary, management, or political considerations. - Safeguard scientists’ rights in official communications.
Supervisors and managers are responsible for ensuring that scientists who conduct original work are given the opportunity to review and correct official communications that reference their work to ensure scientific accuracy. - Ensure management and policy decisions are grounded in transparent, peer-reviewed science.
Scientific or technological findings, conclusions, and methodologies to be considered or relied upon in policy decisions must be subject to well-established scientific processes, including peer review and/or public disclosure where appropriate, and policy decisions should appropriately and accurately reflect a composite of the best available science. - Respond promptly to suspected scientific or research misconduct or loss of integrity.
Supervisors and managers must immediately report suspected scientific or research misconduct or loss of scientific integrity, and support established procedures for addressing and resolving allegations.
Learn more about the NOAA Code of Ethics for Science Supervision and Management.
Responsibilities of Contractors and Financial Assistance Recipients
- Comply with NOAA’s scientific integrity policy and principals as a condition of funding.
Contractors and recipients of NOAA financial assistance are responsible for abiding by NOAA’s commitment to scientific integrity, as specified in award agreements, contracts, or other written agreements.
- Maintain systems to prevent and address scientific misconduct.
Recipient organizations have primary responsibility for fostering an environment that supports responsible conduct of research and providing relevant training to project personnel, and for preventing, detecting, and investigating allegations of scientific or research misconduct.
- Notify NOAA promptly of allegations and investigation outcomes.
Contractors and financial assistance recipients must notify the appropriate NOAA Contracting Officer or Grants Officer, respectively, of allegations of scientific or research misconduct and report the results of any inquiry or investigation.
- Cooperate with NOAA oversight and joint investigations.
NOAA will review recipient inquiry or investigation findings and may accept those findings or conduct its own investigation, or coordinate investigations with other federal agencies in cases of joint or collaborative funding.
- Address potential award or contract consequences.
Expenditures determined to be invalid or unreliable due to scientific or research misconduct or loss of scientific integrity may result in enforcement actions, including corrective action, suspension, termination, or other remedies under the award or contract.
NOAA Scientific Integrity Policy
Learn more about NOAA’s Scientific Integrity Policy
Guidance on Scientific and Professional Activities
Understand the guidelines for NOAA employees
Find information about how to submit an allegation
Annual NOAA Scientific Integrity Reports
Find our annual reports here