What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is a verifiable, portable credential that recognizes specific skills and competencies. With ACTS, these badges support flexible, personalized learning, provide stackable credentials for diverse career paths, and enhance professional visibility through seamless sharing on platforms like LinkedIn and ORCiD.
Which badges are currently available?
There are no badges available to apply for at this time. ACTS is working with the Team Science Professionals SIG to implement findings from the Digital Badging Pilot into a full version of the “Team Science Fundamentals” badge, which will be ready to fully launch in 2026. In addition, the SIG is actively developing three complementary team science badges, which will be released once they are complete. We’re also exploring opportunities to introduce additional badges that recognize learning achievements in other areas of translational science.
I previously took a qualifying training, can I get the Team Science Fundamentals badge?
Yes! If you’ve already completed the qualifying training requirements, you are eligible to apply for the Team Science Fundamentals badge. You can simply follow the instructions provided above and submit your application by providing the required documentation. We’re excited to recognize your learning—no need to retake the training.
How does my certification get displayed as a badge?
We have partnered with Credly to translate the learning outcomes you’ve demonstrated into a badge, issued and managed through the company digital badging platform. The technology Credly uses is based on the Open Badge Standards maintained by 1EdTech (formerly IMS Global). This enables you to manage, share and verify your competencies digitally.
What are the benefits of a badge?
Digital badges provide a portable, shareable, and verifiable recognition of skills obtained. Standards for obtaining the badge can be easily verified by employers, institutions, and peers through detailed metadata that is embedded in the badge, including issuing organization, validity period, and criteria met.
Who is Credly?
Credly is the end-to-end solution for issuing and managing digital credentials. Credly works with credible organizations to provide digital credentials to individuals, worldwide.
How will I know if I’ve earned a badge?
You will receive an email notification from Credly (admin@credly.com) with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.
What if I don’t want my badge to be public?
You can easily configure your privacy settings in Credly. You’re in complete control of the information about yourself that is made public.
Is there a fee to use Credly?
No. This is a service we provide to you, at no cost.
What’s to keep someone else from copying my badge and using it?
While badges are simply digital image files, they are uniquely linked to data hosted on Credly. This link to verified data makes them more reliable and secure than a paper-based certificate. It also eliminates the possibility of anyone claiming your credential and your associated identity.
Where and how can I share my badge through Credly?
You can share your badge directly from Credly to LinkedIn, X, and Facebook; over email; embedded in a website or in your email signature.
Can I export badges issued through Credly to other badge-storing platforms?
Yes, you can download your badge from the Share Badge page. Your downloaded badge contains Open Badge Infrastructure (OBI) compliant metadata embedded into the image. This allows you to store your badge on other OBI-compliant badge sites, such as the Badgr Backpack.
Can I import badges issued from other platforms into Credly?
Yes. If you have earned a badge on another platform, such as Accredible, you can add it to your Credly profile (as long as it meets the necessary criteria). Please review this article for detailed requirements and instructions on adding an outside badge.
I have a question about Credly. Where can I find support?
You can find tutorials and answers to additional questions here: support.credly.com
I previously took a qualifying training, can I get the Team Science Fundamentals badge?
Yes! If you’ve already completed the qualifying training requirements, you are eligible to apply for the Team Science Fundamentals badge. You can simply follow the instructions provided above and submit your application by providing the required documentation. We’re excited to recognize your learning—no need to retake the training!