The document provides a comprehensive overview of federal agency perspectives and evolving policies aimed at preventing sexual harassment and bullying in research environments, with a focus on the practices of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Central to the discussion is the recognition that safe, civil, and inclusive research environments are vital for the integrity, productivity, and inclusiveness of scientific endeavors, and that incidents of harassment—which disproportionately affect women and people of color—severely compromise both individual careers and broader scientific progress.
NSF has implemented stringent terms and conditions for its awardees since 2018, requiring institutions to formally notify the agency of any findings or administrative actions related to sexual or other forms of harassment involving principal investigators and other key personnel. Notification and compliance procedures are detailed, emphasizing both pre- and post-award responsibilities, complaint processes, and remediation measures, including the potential for suspension or revocation of funding. Additional requirements extend to conferences, travel, fellowships, and off-campus/field research, mandating explicit codes of conduct and training. The CHIPS and Science Act further motivates research into effective interventions and interagency collaboration, exemplified by NSF’s recent strategic actions in the U.S. Antarctic Program. NIH, paralleling NSF’s efforts, has established reporting mandates stemming from the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act, requiring prompt notification when senior personnel are disciplined due to harassment-related concerns. NIH collaborates closely with the Office for Civil Rights and has refined its web-based complaint procedures and oversight processes. GAO’s analysis confirms varied but increasing efforts across federal science agencies, recommends further harmonization, publicization of promising practices, and continued oversight to assess and enhance agency responses to sexual harassment in STEM research. Collectively, these initiatives represent a concerted move toward accountability, prevention, and cultural change within the federally funded research community.
