The document provides an overview of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) ongoing initiatives to address sexual harassment within NSF-funded research environments, as presented to the Council on Governmental Relations in June 2018. The NSF, through its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), has strengthened efforts to ensure equitable, safe access to STEM research by implementing comprehensive policies and procedures targeting sexual harassment and related misconduct. These measures include appointing senior leadership for Title IX compliance, conducting regular compliance reviews at recipient institutions, and establishing a sexual harassment taskforce to identify best practices. A web portal has been launched to increase transparency and accessibility of information on harassment policies.
In response to heightened public and congressional scrutiny, NSF issued new grant conditions and reporting requirements on sexual harassment, soliciting extensive feedback from stakeholders throughout the research community. The Foundation has proposed revisions to its Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) to require clear codes of conduct and reporting mechanisms at NSF-funded conferences, as well as expanded non-discrimination provisions. NSF is committed to processing and investigating discrimination complaints, coordinating compliance activities with other agencies, and taking enforcement actions, including potential termination of funding for non-compliant institutions. The agency plans to finalize these policies after reviewing stakeholder input, further engaging research and professional organizations to ensure rigorous implementation and sustained culture change in the scientific community.
