Plain-Language Public Explainer

Federal Scientific Integrity and Research Stability Act of 2026

The Federal Scientific Integrity and Research Stability Act of 2026 is designed to make sure federal scientific research is stable, trustworthy, and protected from political pressure. It focuses on three main goals: keeping research funding stable, protecting scientists and their work from political interference, and making federal research more transparent to the public.

1. Stable Funding for Federal Research

Scientific research often takes many years. But federal funding can change every year, and government shutdowns can suddenly stop research. This Act addresses that by:

• Creating a 5-year rolling funding baseline for every federal research agency.
• Allowing critical research programs to keep running for up to 180 days during funding lapses.
• Requiring agencies to submit 5-year research funding plans.

This helps protect long-term projects in national security, medicine, agriculture, energy, and technology.

2. Protecting Scientific Integrity

The Act makes it clear that political officials cannot interfere with scientific work. It:

• Prohibits altering, hiding, or delaying scientific findings for political reasons.
• Protects scientists from being punished for honest, evidence-based work.
• Requires every agency to adopt a Scientific Integrity Policy and train employees on it.
• Protects researchers’ rights to publish and present their findings, consistent with security and privacy laws.

3. Independent Oversight Board

The Act creates an independent Federal Research Stability Board (FRSB) that:

• Monitors whether agencies follow scientific integrity rules.
• Investigates complaints of political interference.
• Approves or denies requests to reduce research funding below the baseline.
• Publishes public reports and maintains a national research stability dashboard.

4. Transparency for the Public

The Act requires a public online dashboard where anyone can see:

• How much each agency spends on research.
• Whether research programs were disrupted and why.
• Whether scientific integrity violations occurred and how they were resolved.
• How agencies are performing overall on stability and integrity.

5. Stronger Whistleblower Protections

If a scientist reports wrongdoing, such as political interference, the Act protects them from retaliation. Violations can lead to disciplinary action, civil penalties, and referrals for criminal investigation.

6. Why This Matters

Overall, the Act helps ensure that federal research remains objective, continues even during political gridlock, uses taxpayer money efficiently, and maintains public trust. It protects the scientists who do the work, the institutions that depend on stable funding, and the public who relies on accurate scientific information.