NSF Sexual Harassment Notification Policy

Definitions

For purposes of this term and condition, the following definitions apply:

Sexual Harassment: May include but is not limited to gender or sex-based harassment, unwelcome sexual attention, sexual coercion, or creating a hostile environment, as set forth in organizational policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders.

Other Forms of Harassment: Non-gender or non-sex-based harassment of individuals protected under federal civil rights laws, as set forth in organizational policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders.

Finding/Determination: The final disposition of a matter involving sexual harassment or other form of harassment under organizational policies and processes, to include the exhaustion of permissible appeals exercised by the PI or Co-PI, or a conviction of a sexual offense in a criminal court of law.

Administrative Leave/Administrative Action: Any temporary/interim suspension or permanent removal of the PI or Co-PI, or any administrative action imposed on the PI or Co-PI by the awardee under organizational policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders, relating to activities, including but not limited to the following: teaching, advising, mentoring, research, management/administrative duties, or presence on campus.

Principal Investigator (PI): Lead faculty member on an externally-funded project and the primary individual responsible for an external grant.

Background

September 21, 2018 Federal Register: NSF Research Terms and Conditions (PDF)

Article X: Notification Requirements Regarding Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Harassment, or Sexual Assault: 

The Principal Investigator (PI) and any Co-PI(s) identified on an NSF award are in a position of trust. These individuals must comport themselves in a responsible and accountable manner during the award period of performance, whether at the awardee institution, on-line, or at locales such as field sites, facilities, or conferences/workshops.

Purpose

This policy seeks to ensure compliance with the National Science Foundation Research Terms and Conditions, effective October 21, 2018, which requires grantees to notify NSF of any findings/determinations of sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault regarding an NSF funded PI or Co-PI. The new term and condition also will require the awardee to notify NSF if the PI or Co-PI is placed on administrative leave or if the awardee has imposed any administrative action on the PI or any Co-PI relating to any finding/determination or an investigation of an alleged violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault. Finally, the new term and condition specifies the procedures that will be followed by NSF upon receipt of a notification.

The new term and condition will be effective for any new award, or funding amendment to an existing award, made on or after the effective date.

Policy

Effective October 21, 2018, the National Science Foundation will require awardee organizations to notify NSF of any findings/determinations of sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault regarding an NSF funded PI or Co-PI. The new term and condition also will require the awardee to notify NSF if the PI or co-PI is placed on administrative leave or if the awardee has imposed any administrative action on the PI or any co-PI relating to any finding/determination or an investigation of an alleged violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault. Finally, the award terms and conditions specify the procedures that will be followed by NSF upon receipt of a notification.

The awardee is required to notify NSF of:

  • Any finding/determination regarding the PI or any Co-PI that demonstrates 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; and/or 
  • if the PI or any Co-PI is placed on administrative leave or if any administrative action has been imposed on the PI or any Co-PI by the awardee relating to any finding/determination of an investigation of an alleged violation of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.

Notification must be submitted to the Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (mamuchane@davidson.edu) as Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR), for submission to NSF's Office of Diversity and Inclusion at www.nsf.gov/harassment within ten 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.

Each notification must include the following information:

  • NSF Award Number; 
  • Name of PI or Co-PI being reported; 
  • Type of Notification: Select one of the following:
  1. 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
  2. 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 or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.
  • Description of the finding/determination and action(s) taken, if any; and
  • Reason(s) for, and conditions of, placement of the PI or any Co-PI on administrative leave or imposition of administrative action.

The awardee, at any time, may propose a substitute investigator if it determines the PI or any Co-PI may not be able to carry out the funded project or activity and/or abide by the award terms and conditions.

Administration of Policy 

The Director of Sponsored Programs shall oversee this policy and review it at least once every two years. Changes to this policy shall be made in accordance with the college's Policy on Policies.

Related Davidson College Policies:

Davidson College Human Resources - Sexual Harassment Policy

Davidson College Dean of Students - Sexual Misconduct Policy

Policy and Procedure for Responsible Conduct of Research

Date of Adoption: October 21, 2018

Last Updated: October 3, 2018

Last Reviewed: November 7, 2019