The document outlines the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) committed efforts to address and prevent harassment, particularly sexual harassment, within NSF-funded activities. Following a period of public consultation and engagement with academic and scientific stakeholders, NSF implemented a new term and condition effective October 22, 2018. This requirement mandates that awardee institutions promptly notify NSF about any findings or actions taken regarding violations by Principal Investigators (PIs) or co-PIs—such as code of conduct breaches, harassment, or related administrative actions—ensuring accountability and transparency in NSF-supported research environments. While notifications are specifically required for PIs and co-PIs, institutions must also manage the compliance of all personnel, with the overarching priority being the safety, security, and well-being of all individuals involved, as well as the continuous advancement of funded scientific projects.
Post-implementation, NSF has introduced enhanced conference grant requirements, developed internal operating procedures, and provided significant outreach and training to the research community and NSF staff to clarify expectations and effective procedures regarding harassment prevention and reporting. Additionally, NSF has continuously updated resources and promising practices for grantee institutions and reaffirmed the robustness of existing requirements in its policy updates. NSF’s response to reported incidents may involve PI removal, award reduction, or, if necessary, suspension or termination of an award, always with careful consideration of personnel safety, project integrity, and responsible investment of public funds. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion remains a key resource for inquiries and support regarding these policies and broader harassment concerns.
