Safe and Inclusive Workplace in Off-Campus and Off-Site Research Plan
NSF has implemented a new requirement (see Chapter II.E.9 of PAPPG 23-1) to foster safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted. Each proposal that seeks to conduct research off-campus or off-site must include an authorized official certification that there is a proposal-specific plan in place that describes how the following behaviors will be addressed:
- Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; or
- Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly.
The plan should also identify steps to be taken to nurture an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environment, e.g., trainings; processes to establish shared team definitions of roles, responsibilities, and culture, e.g., codes of conduct; and field support, such as mentor-mentee support mechanisms, regular check-ins, and/or developmental events.
Communications within the team and to the organization should be considered in the plan, minimizing singular points within the communications pathway (e.g., a single person overseeing access to a s ingle satellite phone), and any special circumstances such as the involvement of multiple organizations or the presence of third parties in the working environment should be considered.
The plan for the proposal must be disseminated to individuals participating in the off-campus or off-site research prior to departure. Proposers should not submit the plan to NSF for review.
Statement of Commitment
Ohio University (OHIO) is committed to maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all people who participate in OHIO programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation.
Sexual violence, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other behaviors prohibited by Policy interfere with those goals. OHIO will respond promptly and effectively to reports of such conduct. This includes action to stop, prevent, correct, and when necessary, discipline, behavior that violates Policy.
Guidelines for Addressing Unacceptable Behavior/Conduct
PIs will respond to abuse of any person involved in this off-campus/off-site study, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; or conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly in accordance with OHIO’s general policies including:
03.004 - Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct
40.001 - Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity
For any NSF proposal for which any work is conducted off-campus or off-site, the PI should complete the Safe and Inclusive Workplace Fillable Form. The form should be labeled “Safe and Inclusive Plan” and saved as part of the Statement of Work in the transmittal form. ORSP will review for completeness, not content. Should the project be funded, the PI should distribute the completed plan to each person involved in the project.