Policy on Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research

It is the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) policy (NSF 2024 PAPPG II-E.9) to foster safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted. NSF’s policy recognizes that a community effort is essential to eliminate sexual and other forms of harassment in science and to build inclusive scientific climates where people can learn, grow, and thrive.

As of January 30, 2023, for all new and renewal NSF proposals that involve off-campus or off-site research activities (see NSF definition below), NSF requires grantees to certify that they have a project-specific plan in place regarding safe and inclusive working environments for off-campus or off-site research. 

Off-campus or off-site research* is “data/information/ samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork on research vessels and aircraft.”

The plan must include a brief description of the field setting and unique challenges for the team, describe how the following types of behavior will be addressed, and identify steps the proposing principal investigator(s)(PIs) will take to nurture an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environment:

  • 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; 

Specifically, NSF requires PrincipaI Investigators (PIs) to create a plan for safe and inclusive (SAI) work environments and distribute that plan to each participant in advance of departure for an off-campus or off-site research activity. Plans must be kept on file at Bates unless submission to NSF is part of the solicitation-specific application requirements or is directly requested by NSF.

For those solicitations that require submission of the SAI plan with the application, specific instructions for the elements that must be addressed will be provided in the solicitation.

For any off-campus or off-site research on a proposed or collaborative NSF project, PIs must:

  • Review the NSF definition of “off-campus or off-site research” and determine if any portion of the proposed research activities meets NSF’s definition.
  • Create a plan to ensure a SAI working environment for off-campus or off-site research by completing this template. 
  • Distribute the plan to the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC) at the time of proposal submission and to all participants before departure.
  • Update plan as needed and re-disseminate plan to all participants and SPaRC before departure.
  • Retain documentation of who received the plan.

The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance is responsible for:

  • Ensuring a plan that meets NSF requirements is in place before submission and at the time of award.

Resources on Campus

Reporting a Concern

Bates College has a clear and accessible means for reporting abuse and misconduct. To make a report or to learn more about college support resources, please contact:

The Office of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance
Gwen Lexow
Associate Vice President for Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX Coordinator
titleix@bates.edu
1-207-786-6445
Lane Hall 202-A.
Lewiston, ME 04240

Anonymous reports can be filed using this form: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/43139/index.html

For more information, click here. 

Policies