NOAA Scientific Integrity Training

NOAA scientists, managers, leadership, and policy makers are expected to know of and understand the policies and requirements that apply to their professional conduct and work. This includes the NOAA Scientific Integrity Policy. 

NOAA federal staff and contractors “…who engage in, supervise, or manage scientific activities, analyze and/or publicly communicate information resulting from scientific activities, or use scientific information or analyses in making bureau or office policy, management, or regulatory decisions…” are required to participate in scientific integrity training on a biennial basis. Newly employed individuals are required to complete the scientific integrity training within their first full performance cycle. [NAO 202-735.D2, Section 5]

NOAA has developed online scientific Integrity training that is available all NOAA Federal employees and contractors through the Commerce Learning Center (CLC). This training is tailored specifically for NOAA staff and NOAA’s Scientific Integrity Policy. In-person and real-time virtual trainings or topical discussions are available to NOAA laboratory and program staff upon request, provided by the NOAA Scientific Integrity Officer and Line Office Scientific Integrity Officers. Contact the NOAA Scientific Integrity Committee at scientific.integrity@noaa.gov if your laboratory, division, or program office is interested in scheduling such a session.

Employees are also encouraged to use the resources on the NOAA Scientific Integrity Commons to learn more about the NOAA Scientific Integrity Policy and responsible and ethical conduct of research. The NOAA Scientific Integrity Committee will continue to update this site with additional resources.

It is important that scientists, their managers, and communications staff have ongoing conversations about research and scientific integrity. In most cases, what constitutes responsible, professional, and ethical behavior is clear-cut. However, some situations may present “gray” areas. The NOAA online scientific integrity training program helps to identify examples of those areas and bring them to light. As working scientists, however, you often have the best insight on the issues of the day.

See the Research Integrity Training and Learning Resources page for more information.