Federal Agency Anti-Harassment Policies and Reporting Requirements

Effective for any new award or any funding amendment to an existing award made after October 21, 2018:

Finding/Determination that the reported individual has been found to have violated awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault; or

Placement by the awardee of the reported individual on administrative leave or the imposition of any administrative action on the PI or any co-PI by the awardee relating to any finding/determination or an investigation of an alleged violation of awardee policies.

Notifications must be submitted by an authorized organizational representative within 10 business days from the date of the finding/determination, or the date of the placement of a PI or co-PI by the awardee on administrative leave or the imposition of an administrative action, whichever is sooner.
 

Conferences:

In addition to requiring that the awardee organization has a policy for harassment, NSF further requires that the organization establish clear and accessible means for reporting violations that occur at conferences. The policy or code-of-conduct must be disseminated to all participants in advance of the event. Where required in the proposal application and conference materials, please include a link to the University of Arizona's Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment policy at: https://policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/nondiscrimination-and-anti-h…

Travel awards: 

The proposer will assure that the meeting organizer has a written policy or code-of-conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault, and that includes clear and accessible means of reporting violations of the policy or code-of-conduct. The policy or code-of-conduct must address the method for making a complaint as well as how any complaints received during the meeting will be resolved. 

Research off-campus or off-site:

For each proposal that proposes to conduct research off-campus or off-site, the AOR must complete a certification that the organization has a plan in place for that proposal regarding safe and inclusive working environments (2023). The plan itself is not submitted to NSF as part of the proposal. Off-campus or off-site research is defined as data/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork and research activities on vessels and aircraft.

The plan must describe how the following types of behavior will be addressed:

• Abuse of any person, but not limited to harassment, stalking, bullying or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; or
• Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly

The plan should identify steps the proposing organization will take to nurture an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environments

The plan should consider communications within the team and to the organization.

External Agency Resources:

Overview

Specific procedure

Conference grants (2023)

Travel grants (2023)

FAQ

Effective for all NIH awards on or after July 9, 2022:

Individual identified as PD/PI or other Senior/Key personnel has been removed from their position or otherwise disciplined due to concerns about harassment, bullying, retaliation or hostile working conditions.

The Authorized Organization Representative must notify NIH within 30 days of the removal or disciplinary action.

Conferences:

NIH expects that organizers of NIH-supported conferences and scientific meetings take steps to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all attendees by providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment, sexual or otherwise. Among other strategies that support a safe environment, NIH Guidance recommends establishing a conference code of conduct with clearly stated expectations of behavior, systems of reporting, and procedures for addressing inappropriate behavior. Where required in the proposal application and conference materials, please include a link to the University of Arizona's Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment policy at: https://policy.arizona.edu/human-resources/nondiscrimination-and-anti-h…

External Agency Resources:

Overview

Specific procedure

Conference grants

Change of status

Effective for new NASA awards of federal financial assistance and funding amendments to existing awards as of April 9, 2020:

Recipient institutions are required to notify NASA of any findings/determinations of sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault regarding a NASA-funded Principal Investigator (PI) or co-I, or of the placement of the PI or co-I on administrative leave, or the imposition of any administrative action relating to harassment or sexual assault finding or investigation.

Recipient Authorized Organizational Representatives (AOR)s must submit the required report to NASA pursuant to the term and condition. 

External Agency Resources:

Overview

Specific procedure