FASEB Joins Scientific Societies in Launching New Trust Seal Initiative for Trustworthy Science

FASEB Joins Scientific Societies in Launching New Trust Seal Initiative for Trustworthy Science

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), through its participation in BioCore: A Society Publishing Consortium (BioCore), is helping launch the Trust Seal, a new community-led initiative designed to strengthen trust in science.

The Trust Seal brings together scientific societies and other stakeholders across the research ecosystem to develop a shared framework that recognizes and promotes best practices for trustworthy science. The initiative aims to provide greater confidence in publications that demonstrate strong commitments to research integrity and continuous improvement.

As scientific information becomes increasingly discoverable through artificial intelligence and other digital tools, there is a growing need for clear indicators of trust that are visible to both people and technology systems. The Trust Seal is intended to complement existing research integrity and publishing standards by helping align, recognize, and support community-led best practices across scholarly publishing.

"The Trust Seal was born where the best ideas always are-from the community," said Darla P. Henderson, PhD, Executive Director and CEO of FASEB. "A scientist at a FASEB-organized summit sparked an idea that has since grown through working groups and broad stakeholder engagement into something far larger than any single organization. With Trust Seal, we commit to improving trust in science. Bringing diverse perspectives from a broader community to form consensus is in FASEB's DNA, and we know we are stronger together."

The initiative is being coordinated through BioCore, a consortium of scientific societies committed to advancing sustainable, society-led scholarly publishing. Current participating organizations include the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), FASEB, Shock Society, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (SEBM), Society for Redox Biology and Medicine (SfRBM), and Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR).

"Trust in science is not optional; it is the foundation for achieving our missions as societies, how we collectively advance health and well-being. We are honored to lead this work alongside our partners and start the process of engaging broader stakeholders to ensure all voices are at the table," said Tammy Hanna, PhD, Chief Publications Officer of FASEB and BioCore. "We invite the wider research community to join us in helping shape and advance this effort."

FASEB President Eric E. Kelley, PhD, emphasized the important role scientific societies can play in advancing trustworthy publishing practices.

"At a time when trust in science faces growing challenges, the scientific community must take an active role in shaping the future of trustworthy publishing," Kelley said. "The Trust Seal initiative represents a collaborative, society-led effort to strengthen transparency, accountability, and confidence in the research ecosystem."

The Trust Seal framework will be developed and overseen by an independent, community-led committee initially composed of representatives from participating scientific societies, with plans to expand over time to include researchers, librarians, funders, research integrity experts, and other stakeholders. The initiative has also received early endorsement from Wiley.

Development of the Trust Seal framework and governance model is currently underway. A pilot evaluation program is anticipated to open in late 2026, with the first Trust Seals expected to be awarded in early 2027.

Scientific societies, publishers, and other organizations interested in learning more about the initiative or participating as Supporting Members, subject matter experts, or Endorsing Organizations are encouraged to connect with BioCore and join the growing effort to strengthen confidence in science and support trustworthy research publishing.

Learn more by reading the Trust Seal FAQs.