This study analyses the literature on trust in science in the aftermath of COVID-19, a global pandemic. The literature review includes 17 research articles on the antecedents of trust in science, covering the period between 2020 and 2024. The reviewed research articles were subjected to thematic analysis. The results revealed individual, societal and global aspects of the factors affecting trust in science. Accordingly, a comprehensive framework was proposed to explain the antecedents of trust in science. The factors included in this integrated framework were (a) individual factors, (b) characteristics of the scientist, (c) social and political factors, (d) personal and psychological characteristics and (e) scientific perceptions and approaches. The study on the antecedents of trust in science is helpful for scientists, scientific institutions and organizations, researchers and policymakers in framing the phenomenon of trust in science, revealing different aspects of trust, and revealing the points that need to be emphasized.