NIH Releases RFI on Draft Scientific Integrity Policy 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a request for information (RFI) on the draft of their new Scientific Integrity Policy. This policy is in response to the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) memorandum requiring federal agencies to develop scientific integrity policies to restore trust in science (see previous COSSA coverage). NIH expects the policy to ensure that research is trustworthy and available to the public, and that their policies and programs are transparent, and evidence based. The draft policy changes include a new definition of scientific integrity; roles and responsibilities of the new positions NIH Chief Scientist and NIH Scientific Integrity Official; and protections against potential political interference. NIH seeks to gain input from the public on these changes as well as any other comments the public may have.

Comments are requested by November 9 and can be submitted here.