National Science Foundation (NSF) Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures

In 2018, the NSF developed a new award term and condition that requires grantees to report findings of any type of harassment—including sexual harassment—regarding a PI or co-PI. The final version of the new term and condition is entitled "Notification Requirements Regarding Findings of Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Harassment, or Sexual Assault" in the Federal Register.

As a condition of accepting funding support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), St. John Fisher University must disclose to the NSF any findings of sexual harassment pertaining to any PI(s), co-PI(s), and key personnel or alleged violations of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault. The Principal Investigator (PI) and any co-PI(s) identified on an NSF award must meet standards of responsible behavior during the award period. Consistent with St. John Fisher University policies and statutes, privacy is maintained to the greatest extent possible in any disclosure.

All Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) submitting a proposal to the National Science Foundation are asked to sign an internal approvals routing form acknowledging that Fisher will disclose to the NSF any findings of sexual harassment pertaining to them or alleged violations of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.

Procedures/Reporting

Grant recipient organizations are required to notify the National Science Foundation (NSF) if or when a Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) are respondents to findings or allegations of sexual harassment, sexual harassment, or other forms of harassment. Consistent with St. John Fisher University policies and statutes, privacy is maintained to the greatest extent possible in any disclosure. Submission of this proposal is acknowledgement that the University is required to disclose allegations and/or findings of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment where the PI or CO-PI are respondents, to the NSF.

Upon proposal submission:

All Principal Investigators (PIs) and Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) submitting a proposal to the National Science Foundation will be asked to sign a statement via the internal approvals form acknowledging that Fisher will disclose to the NSF any findings of sexual harassment pertaining to them or alleged violations of awardee policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders relating to sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.

Upon proposal approval:

When a grant is approved by the NSF, the Assistant Provost will forward the names of PIs and Co-PIs to the Title IX Coordinator for vetting. In addition, all PIs and Co-PIs will receive sexual harassment training from the Title IX Coordinator regarding NSF regulations and College policy.
If a PI or Co-PI is placed on administrative leave, or if St. John Fisher University 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, the Title IX Coordinator will disclose the name(s) to the Assistant Provost.
As the Authorized Organizational Representative, the Assistant Provost will submit an Organizational Notification of Harassment form to the NSF and work with the NSF to develop a plan of action for the continuation of the funded grant project.

This procedure complies with NSF Important Notice No. 144 and related policies and procedures.

Created December 2018
Updated September 2021
Next Review Fall 2023