National Science Foundation Requirements on Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Harassment, and Sexual Assault
Summary
On February 8, 2018, the National Science Foundation released . The notice reminds the research community of its obligations to fully investigate complaints of sexual or other harassment and for complying with federal nondiscrimination law. After conducting a public comment on a proposed award term and condition, NSF released a new term and condition, , on September 21, 2018. The term is effective for new awards and funding amendments to existing awards issued on or after October 21, 2018.
Institutional Requirements
- Maintain Harassment-Free Research Workplaces
- Establish and maintain clear and unambiguous standards of behavior
- Establish notification pathways for all personnel, including students, regardless of workplace location
- Provide accessible and evident means for reporting violations, including reporting when personnel are engaged in conferences, workshops, field work, or other research facilities
- Ensure institutional due diligence with timely investigations of allegations and corrective actions
- Reporting to NSF
- ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø must report to NSF if:
- It places a PI or Co-PI on administrative leave related to an investigation of an alleged violation or a finding/determination demonstrating a violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.
- It imposes any administrative action on a PI or Co-PI related to an investigation of an alleged violation or a finding/determination demonstrating a violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.
- It issues a finding/determination regarding a PI or Co-PI demonstrating a violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.
- ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø must report as a direct recipient or as a subrecipient of an NSF award that includes the term.
- ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø must submit the report to NSF within ten (10) business days from the placement on administrative leave, imposition of administrative action, or the date of the finding/determination. The report submissions will be done by the Office of Sponsored Research based on information provided by Human Resources.
- ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø must report to NSF if:
Potential NSF Actions
After receiving and reviewing the information, NSF will consult with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and may:
- Initiate the substitution of the PI or a Co-PI,
- Reduce the award funding amount, or
- Suspend or terminate the award.
NSF Considerations
- Safety and security of personnel supported by the NSF award
- Overall impact to NSF-funded activity
- Continued advancement of taxpayer-funded investments in science and scientists
- Whether the awardee has taken appropriate action(s) to ensure continuity of science and that continued progress can be made under funded project
Coverage
- All grant personnel (PI, Co-PI roles trigger reporting requirement)
- All locations where grant work is undertaken (including conferences, workshops, field sites, on- and off-campus research facilities, online)
- The new term and condition will be applied to new NSF awards and funding amendments to existing awards made on or after October 21, 2018.