Plan for Safe and Inclusive Working Environment for Off-Campus Research (NSF)
It is the National Science Foundation’s (“NSF”) policy to “foster safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted.” (NSF 2023 PAPPG Guide II-E.9). NSF’s new policy requirement states that there must be a plan for a safe and inclusive work environment created—and distributed to each participant in advance of departure for an off-campus research activity. Off-campus or off-site research is defined by NSF for this requirement as “data/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork or research activities on vessels and aircraft.”
Effective January 30, 2023, NSF grant applicants, including Marquette University, are required to certify that there is a plan in place for a safe and inclusive work environment. The plan specifically addresses:
-
- Abuse of any person, including but not limited to harassment, stalking, bullying or hazing or any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; and
- Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly
The creation and distribution of the plan is the responsibility of the award PI. To ease the administrative burden, a Plan Template is available.
Page 1. of the template plan provides instructions for the PI.
Page 2. of the plan outlines Marquette University’s compliance with NSF’s requirement and provides links to relevant University policies.
Page 3. of the plan is the project specific information PIs will prepare prior to departure for off-campus research activity.
PIs are responsible for distributing a copy of the plan to all required participants, as well as maintaining documentation of who received the plan. Applicants should not submit the plan to NSF for review unless specifically requested. Please upload a copy of the plan in Kuali at the time of application.
If you are conducting research internationally, remember that you must complete the Office of International Education’s Faculty and Staff Travel Registration.
For more information, please see the FAQ for the NSF Safe and Inclusive Environment Requirements.
