Gold Standard Science Compliance and Disclosure Form

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (AFRL)

711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW)
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

ATTACHMENT 4

GOLD STANDARD SCIENCE (GSS) COMPLIANCE AND DISCLOSURE FORM

Solicitation Number: FA2384-24-S-2334 (Open Period 1)
Parent Announcement: FA2384-24-S-2233 (CHEERS MAA)
Program Title: Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustaining (CHEERS)

I. Background and Authority

This document is a mandatory submission requirement for any institution, university, nonprofit, or commercial entity applying for federal financial assistance (e.g., Grants, Cooperative Agreements, or Technology Investment Agreements). Its purpose is to ensure that all applicants understand, certify, and commit to the principles of "Gold Standard Science" (GSS) as mandated by the following federal authorities:
1. Executive Order 14332: "Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking" (August 7, 2025) 2. Executive Order 14303: "Restoring Gold Standard Science" (May 2025) 3. Department of the Air Force (DAF) Implementation Guidance Regarding EO 14332 (March 18, 2026)
Per EO 14332 and DAF policy, applicants seeking federal funding through a discretionary financial assistance program must certify their commitment to complying with all administration policies, procedures, and guidance respecting GSS. Failure to execute and provide this signed disclosure form with the proposal package will result in the immediate rejection of the application without further evaluation.

II. Definition of Gold Standard Science (GSS)
As defined in Executive Order 14303, Gold Standard Science is scientific research conducted in a manner that is:

Reproducible;
Transparent;
Communicative of error and uncertainty;
Collaborative and interdisciplinary;
Skeptical of its findings and assumptions;
Structured for falsifiability of hypotheses;
Subject to unbiased peer review;
Accepting negative results as positive outcomes; and
Without conflicts of interest.

III. Institutional Acknowledgment and Certification
By signing below, the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) of the proposing institution, in coordination with the designated Principal Investigator (PI), hereby certifies and agrees to the following statements:
1. Understanding: Our institution has read and thoroughly understands the definition and tenets of Gold Standard Science as outlined above and articulated in EO 14303 and EO 14332.
2. Operational Adherence: Our institution, the Principal Investigator, and all senior/key