Gold Standard Science Implementation Plan

August 22,2025

U.S. Department of Defense, Gold Standard Science Implementation Plan, Report to the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President of the United States

I. Summary
The Department of Defense (DoD) is committed to scientific integrity and advancing evidence based decision-making across the United States’ Government, as described in Executive Order (E.O.) 14303. Many of the principles outlined in E.O. 14303 and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) Gold Standard Science framework are already embedded in DoD’s research policies,1 culture, and practices. This report outlines how DoD is incorporating the tenets of Gold Standard Science across its scientific enterprise, including efforts in policy updates, training, evaluation, and technology integration. It also identifies areas of opportunity and challenges in ensuring consistent implementation across the Department’s diverse and mission-driven research environment. The Department’s research efforts include academic performers conducting fundamental research as well as DoD Laboratories and DoD contractors conducting unclassified, controlled unclassified, and classified research.