Science is one of the most highly regarded institutions in America, with nearly three-quarters of the public expressing “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of confidence in scientists. However, confidence in science has nonetheless declined over the past few years, since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors, members of the Strategic Council of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, write that while there is broad public agreement about the values that should underpin science.