2025–26 Changes to GLOBE FAQs

GLOBE announced changes to the GLOBE website and training requirements in November 2025. The changes will take place between 18 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. Additional changes may be announced in 2026. We will keep the community updated via the News Brief and emails.

The GIO held three information sessions about these changes and the broader funding impacts that GLOBE is facing. We encourage you to review the slides presented at the information sessions. Below we answer questions that we received as we announced and shared information about planned changes.

If you have questions that are not covered in this FAQ, please submit them using this form.

website

GLOBE Website Questions

My Pages will be redesigned and will not include existing bios. Instead, they will feature users’ observations. It will also be where users access guest accounts (formerly called student accounts).

Yes, at this point in time users can still create new organizations. In 2026, we will roll out additional website changes which will include removing the ability to create new organizations. The date of this changes has not yet been determined. We will inform the community via News Briefs and emails when the date for this change is determined.

Student Accounts will be renamed as Guest Accounts. All users will be given access to up to 10 guest accounts via their My Page on globe.gov. Existing “Teacher/Educator Accounts” will retain access to 30+ guest accounts. Existing student account information will be stored under “Guest Accounts.

GLOBE Teams functions remain the same, which includes being able to message everyone on your team(s).

We plan to hide community profiles (exact timing to be determined) since the profiles haven't been updated in years and won't be updated moving forward due to staffing limitations.

training

GLOBE Training Questions

Yes, training verification is based on the honor system. Before entering data, users will be asked to check a box saying that they have completed one of the training options for that protocol.

Yes, in the GLOBE Observer app, everyone will have access to the Data Entry button.

On the website and the app, users will be asked to verify their training before they can enter data for a protocol. These changes will roll out between 18 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

Prior to these changes, trained GLOBE users did not necessarily have to review a protocol in order to enter data for it. With this change in training requirements, we are requiring all users to complete a training in EACH protocol before entering data. We believe this should improve data quality. In addition, the database has checks in place to make sure data entered is within normal parameters.

Yes, at this point in time we are still accepting applications  [link accepting applications: https://www.globe.gov/get-trained/user-roadmaps/globe-trainers] for GLOBE Trainers and Mentor Trainers. Please consider applying as soon as possible. In 2026, we will be rolling out additional changes and will no longer be able to accept applications. The date of this change is not yet determined. It will be announced to the GLOBE community via the News Brief and emails.