# OSTP Memoranda **Domain:** governance **Doc Type:** Concept Node **Classification:** Infrastructure Concept **Maturity:** Evolving **Related:** [[OSTP Data Mandates]], [[Measurement Capacity]], [[Open Access]], [[Operational Logic]], [[Governance Testbeds]] --- ## Definition **Formal guidance documents issued by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy**, providing non-binding but influential direction to federal agencies on research, data, and technology policy. Memoranda shape agency behavior through guidance and incentive structures. --- ## General Context OSTP memoranda have addressed data sharing, algorithm transparency, and climate action coordination. Agencies typically comply with memoranda to maintain funding and avoid political risk. --- ## Key Insight Memoranda provide flexible coordination without statutory requirements, but lack enforcement mechanisms of actual law. Compliance depends on agency leadership alignment and budget cycle incentives. --- ## See Also [[The Algorithmic State]], [[Computational Governance]], [[Climate Justice and Global Reparative Systems]], [[Model-Based Governance]], [[NOAA Data Pipelines]]