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NSF Updates

NSF Requirement: Plan for Safe and Inclusive Working Environment for Off-Campus Research

It is National Science Foundation (“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 on file at the proposal stage.  PIs are responsible for distributing the plan 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 as of January 30, 2023, NSF grant applicants, including Syracuse University, are required to certify that we have a plan in place for a safe and inclusive work environment. The plan specifically addresses:

  1. 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
  2. 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, the Office of Sponsored Programs has created a Plan Template for your use.

  • Page 1. of the template plan provides instructions for the PI,
  • Page 2. of the plan outlines Syracuse University’s compliance with NSF’s requirement and provides links to all relevant University policies, and
  • Page 3. of the plan is the project specific information PIs will prepare and share with OSP prior to proposal submission.

PIs are responsible for distributing a copy of the plan to all required participants (See Participants definition in the FAQ) in advance of departure for an off-campus research activity, as well as maintaining documentation of who received the plan. Unless specifically requested, applicants should not submit the plan to NSF for review.

For additional information and examples of the applicability of the new NSF policy, please see the FAQ, or contact your OSP Research Administrator.

 

Using SciENcv to Prepare NSF Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending Support

A revised National Science Foundation (NSF) Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), known as NSF 20-1, has been released. It will be effective on June 1, 2020. NSF-approved formats for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support will be required for ongoing projects, and all NSF proposals submitted or due on or after October 5, 2020.

Biographical Sketch

  • SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae) allows the researcher to quickly create and maintain their NSF Biographical Sketch, and to integrate publications and other profile information from ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor Identifier). The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) encourages Syracuse University researchers to use ORCID for listing NSF publications to simplify entering and updating publications in one place, and then import the publication records into other systems, including SciENcv.
  • Training resources are available on the SciENcv website.

Current and Pending Support

Additional Resources

NSF will continue to keep the research community informed as approved formats and related information become available, and this information will be available on NSF websites for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support.

This section compiles guidance related to the National Science Foundation (NSF).