Newswise — ROCKVILLE, MD (May 27, 2026) – A group of scholarly societies in the biological and biomedical sciences, organized by BioCore: A Scholarly Publishing Consortium (BioCore), announce the launch of the Trust Seal, a new community-led initiative bringing together organizations across the research ecosystem to strengthen trust in science.
The Trust Seal is intended to provide greater confidence in publications that have adopted community-led best practices for trustworthy science. There is an urgent need for clear trust indicators that are visible to humans and recognizable within emerging AI-driven research and discovery tools. Participating organizations recognize that strengthening trust in science is an ongoing process grounded in continuous improvement and are committed to evolving their own processes. The Trust Seal is designed to complement and strengthen existing efforts by helping align, recognize, and support best practices across scientific publishing.
Darla P. Henderson, PhD, Executive Director and CEO of FASEB shares “The Trust Seal was born where the best ideas always are – from the community. 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.”“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 BioCore. “We invite the wider research community to join us in helping shape and advance this effort.”
Today, the initiative launches with a growing coalition of scientific societies and organizations reflecting a collaborative, community-driven approach to strengthening trust in science. Current Supporting Members include:
American Society for Microbiology (ASM)American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET)European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)Shock Society (SHOCK)Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (SEBM)Society for Redox Biology and Medicine (SfRBM)Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR)
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 broader stakeholders across the research ecosystem, including researchers, librarians, funders, and research integrity experts. The initiative has also received early endorsement from Wiley.
Leaders Voice Support for the Trust Seal
American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
“Microbiology and infectious disease research have a direct impact on public health and people’s daily lives, making trust, transparency, and scientific rigor essential. As science becomes increasingly collaborative and global, initiatives like the Trust Seal create important opportunities for the scientific community to strengthen research integrity standards and reinforce confidence in published research worldwide.”
– Amy Kullas, PhD, Director of Ethics
European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
“In a rapidly expanding and globalized research landscape, strengthening trust in published research and scientific journals is key. As EMBO Press, we contribute by championing research integrity, setting standards in pre-publication quality control and integrity screening, as well as by adopting and promoting open science practices. I am confident that the Trust Seal initiative will provide the formal and auditable approach needed to promote integrity standards for more trusted and transparent practices in scientific publishing.”
– Bernd Pulverer, Head, Scientific Publications
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)
“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. The Trust Seal initiative represents a collaborative, society-led effort to strengthen transparency, accountability, and confidence in the research ecosystem.”
– President Eric E. Kelley, PhD
Shock Society
“The Shock Society proudly endorses the Trust Seal initiative, recognizing its pivotal role in elevating rigorous publishing standards and fostering confidence within translational and clinical research concerning shock, sepsis, and trauma. This collaborative effort is crucial for expediting credible discoveries that ultimately save lives.”
– President Haichao Wang, PhD
Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (SEBM)
“Scientific societies and society-led journals play a critical role in advancing research integrity because researchers are the ones most directly impacted by the credibility and trustworthiness of published science. For societies, this is about more than publishing—it is about protecting the future of science, reinforcing rigorous and transparent standards, and standing up for scientific fact. The Trust Seal initiative represents an important step toward strengthening confidence in scholarly publishing and the research enterprise as a whole.”
– President Michael Lehman, PhD
Society for Redox Biology and Medicine (SfRBM)
“As redox biology continues to influence a growing range of biomedical and translational research areas, scientific rigor and reproducibility remain essential to meaningful discovery and innovation. SfRBM is committed to supporting strong research standards, helping ensure that emerging scientific advances can be built upon with confidence by researchers around the world.”
– President Carola Neumann, MD
Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR)
“Reproductive biology and medicine are fields where rigorous and reproducible science is critically important, with discoveries carrying direct implications for fertility, development, pregnancy, and long-term health. The Trust Seal initiative represents an important opportunity for scientific societies and journals to work collaboratively toward strengthening confidence in scientific publishing and supporting trustworthy research practices.”
– President Mellissa Mann, PhD
Wiley
“The societies behind the Trust Seal have spent decades earning the confidence of the scientific community. This initiative builds on that foundation through the kind of cross-sector collaboration that benefits everyone: researchers, publishers, and the public that ultimately depends on science to power progress. Wiley is proud to support this effort.”
– Liz Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Research Publishing, Wiley
As the initiative evolves, participating organizations anticipate the Trust Seal will foster greater confidence in science while encouraging broader community engagement and discussion around trustworthy publishing practices. Preliminary development of the Trust Seal framework and governance model is underway, with a pilot for evaluation anticipated to open in Fall 2026 and the first Trust Seals expected to be awarded in early 2027.
Scientific societies and other stakeholder organizations interested in learning more or participating in the initiative as Supporting Members, subject matter experts, or Endorsing Organizations are encouraged to connect with BioCore and join the growing community working to strengthen confidence in science and support trustworthy research publishing. We invite the broad global community to contact us and join in this effort. Learn more and get in touch at biocore.org/contact-us.
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About ASM
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is a global professional life science organization of more than 38,000 scientists, educators, and health professionals dedicated to advancing the microbial sciences. Through its programs, publications, and advocacy, ASM promotes scientific discovery, supports the next generation of microbiologists, and addresses pressing global health challenges. Visit asm.org for more information.
About ASPET
The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) is a global scientific society of approximately 4,000 members advancing the science of drugs and therapeutics. Through research, education, and advocacy, ASPET supports scientists across disciplines to drive the discovery of new medicines and accelerate cures for disease. Visit aspet.org for more information.
About BioCore
BioCore: A Scholarly Publishing Consortium (BioCore) is a scholarly publishing consortium built by societies, for societies. Committed to advancing research integrity and sustainability in scientific publishing, BioCore provides a society-first alternative to commercial publishing models, reinvesting in science and the research community. Visit biocore.org for more information.
About EMBO
EMBO is an organization of more than 2,100 leading researchers dedicated to promoting excellence in the life sciences in Europe and around the world. Through support for researchers at all career stages, scientific exchange, training, and scholarly publishing, EMBO helps advance rigorous, transparent, and high-quality research while strengthening the global life sciences community. Learn more at embo.org.
About FASEB
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) is comprised of 21 scientific member societies with over 100,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biological and biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB’s mission is to advance health and well-being by promoting research and education in biological and biomedical sciences through collaborative advocacy and service to member societies and their members. Visit faseb.org for more information.
About SEBM
Founded in 1903, the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (SEBM) is a global scientific society dedicated to advancing investigation in the biomedical sciences and fostering the careers of students and early-career researchers. Through its peer-reviewed journal Experimental Biology and Medicine and its support of regional and national meetings, SEBM promotes the exchange of scientific knowledge across disciplines and strengthens collaboration throughout the biomedical community. Visit sebm.org for more information.
About SfRBM
The Society for Redox Biology and Medicine (SfRBM) is a global scientific society dedicated to advancing research and applications in redox biology to address critical health challenges. Through its support of scientific innovation, education, and collaboration, SfRBM empowers researchers, clinicians, and trainees to drive discovery and improve human health. Visit sfrbm.org for more information.
About SHOCK
Founded in 1977, the Shock Society is dedicated to improving the care of victims of trauma, shock, and sepsis by advancing clinically relevant research and promoting collaboration across basic and clinical disciplines. Through its meetings, publications, and mentoring programs, the Society fosters the next generation of investigators and drives innovation in the prevention and treatment of trauma, shock, and sepsis. Visit shocksociety.org or more information.
About SSR
Founded in 1967, the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) is a global association of more than 1,200 members advancing the science of reproduction, fertility, and development for the benefit of humans and animals. Through its annual meetings, professional development programs, and flagship journal Biology of Reproduction, SSR fosters collaboration, scientific literacy, and innovation worldwide. Visit ssr.org for more information.
About Wiley
Wiley (NYSE: WLY) is a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning. With more than 200 years at the center of the scholarly ecosystem, Wiley combines trusted publishing heritage with AI-powered platforms to transform how knowledge is discovered, accessed, and applied. From individual researchers and students to Fortune 500 R&D teams, Wiley enables the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. From knowledge to impact—Wiley is redefining what’s possible in science and learning. Visit us at Wiley.com.