Fostering a Culture of Scientific Integrity at USAID and Beyond

Scientific integrity is the adherence to professional practices, ethical behavior, and the principles of honesty and objectivity when conducting, managing, using the results of, and communicating about science and scientific activities. Inclusivity, transparency, and protection from inappropriate influence are hallmarks of scientific integrity. Fostering a culture of inclusivity, transparency and protection from inappropriate influences in science is an indispensable part of the work done at USAID. Scientific integrity is a core responsibility of everyone:

  • proposing, conducting, or reviewing science for USAID; 

  • communicating about USAID’s science and scientific activities; 

  • managing or supervising USAID-funded scientific activities; or 

  • using scientific information in decision-making at USAID.

Latest Updates

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Administrator Power appoints USAID’s first-ever Scientific Integrity Official

Administrator Power has appointed Mr. Joshua Kaufman as USAID’s first-ever USAID Scientific Integrity Official (SIO), responsible for overseeing and managing the implementation and iterative improvement of USAID's policies and processes relating to scientific integrity. 

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Behavior Standards for Scientific Integrity

USAID is developing a set of behavior standards along with its new Policy on Fostering a Culture of Scientific Integrity.

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How to Report Scientific Integrity Issues

To help the Agency build and foster a culture of scientific integrity, USAID encourages the identification of situations early on that could potentially lead to violations of scientific integrity.

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Scientific Integrity: Policy, Procedures and Good Practices

The purpose of the updated scientific integrity policy and the key roles and functions it establishes is to provide the foundation and impetus needed to build, enhance, promote, and maintain a continuing culture of scientific integrity at USAID.

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Scientific Integrity: Monitoring USAID’s Progress

Within six months of the release of its new policy, USAID will develop and begin to implement a plan to regularly measure, monitor, and evaluate ongoing scientific integrity activities and outcomes.

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Scientific Integrity Committee & Scientific Integrity Officials

USAID’s 2024 scientific integrity policy will articulate the duties of the federally mandated role of the Agency Scientific Integrity Official and will establish Deputy Scientific Integrity Officials and Mission Scientific Integrity Officials.

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Scientific Integrity: Resources & FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions and resources for Scientific Integrity at USAID.