Office of Research and Development Strategic Plan
The EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) Strategic Plan guides ORD in carrying out its mission to ensure that the Agency and our partners have the scientific knowledge, data, and tools needed to protect people and the planet from the most complex and challenging environmental issues of our time.
ORD Mission
Providing the best available environmental science and technology to inform and support human health and environmental decision making for federal, state, Tribal, local, and community partners, addressing critical environmental challenges and anticipating future needs through leading-edge research.
ORD Vision
Leading the world in environmental science, technology, and research, developing breakthrough solutions that enable EPA, federal agencies, states, Tribes, and communities to protect human health and the environment.
ORD Principles
In conducting the critical research that informs and enables the safeguarding of our nation’s health and environment, ORD staff are guided by the following principles:
- We are environmental stewards. I take action to care for and ensure a healthy and thriving environment now and in the future.
- We are an organization of scientific excellence that informs environmental decisions. I diligently use all my talents to contribute significantly to our goals and to fulfilling our mission.
- We actively seek out partnerships that advance the quality, relevance, and impact of ORD’s solutions-driven research. I actively look beyond my own areas of expertise to see how my contributions combine with those of others to fulfill ORD’s mission.
- We exhibit leadership and ownership. I am responsible for developing and exhibiting my leadership.
- We trust each other and are worthy of each other’s trust. I am mindful of others’ trust in me, and I always behave with integrity.
- We communicate honestly, openly, and clearly. I seek the information I need and provide the information that others need in support of a culture of open communication.
- We enable decisions at the most local level possible. I am responsible for actively seeking opportunities to engage others in decision making.
- We value the talents, skills, and experiences of our multidisciplinary workforce. I seek to understand, appreciate, and engage others’ unique talents, perspectives, and contributions.
- We are accountable to others for our actions. Forever mindful that our work serves a public trust, I am dedicated to fulfilling our commitments and making the most of our resources.
- We recognize and celebrate our accomplishments. I always recognize and celebrate others for a job well done.
ORD Strategic Goals
ORD has identified four overarching goals to guide its work. The goals are:
Goal 1: Advance Science and Technology
Improve protection of human health and the environment through scientific advancements, innovative research, and technology development using systems-level approaches.
Goal 2: Support Decision Making
Deliver the scientific and technical information our partners need to inform their decisions to protect human health and the environment.
Goal 3: Build a Healthy Workforce and Organization
Strengthen and sustain a workforce and organization that have the skills and expertise necessary to anticipate and respond to current and future challenges to human health and the environment.
Goal 4: Be a Trusted Scientific Source
Serve as a trusted source of scientific information for the Agency, the nation, and the world.
Learn More about ORD's Goals and Objectives
ORD has articulated clear and achievable objectives to guide, measure, and meet the four goals outlined above. Learn more about ORD's Goals and Objectives.