草榴社区

NSF Safe and Inclusive (SAI) Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-site Research

Effective January 30, 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) requires proposers to certify that they have a plan for Safe and Inclusive Working Environment(s) for projects that include certain kinds of off-campus or off-site research. The intent of this new requirement is to provide support and guidance for project team personnel and participants when they do not have readily available access to resources that support a safe and inclusive working environment.

The certification is made by the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) at the time of proposal submission:

The plan must be project specific and must be disseminated to individuals participating in the relevant off-campus/off-site research prior to departure to the off-campus/off-site location.

Definition of Off-Campus or Off-site Research

NSF defines off-campus or off-site research as, 鈥渄ata/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork and research activities on vessels and aircraft.鈥�

What Does the Plan Address?

鈥� 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; and

鈥� Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly.

Required Plan Information (see NSF Safe and Inclusive Working Environment - Guidance and Template)

Each project-specific plan must include certain elements, including a description of the field location, unique challenges for the team, steps the proposing PI(s)/research team will take to nurture an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environment, and incident reporting process(es).

See the NSF Safe and Inclusive Working Environment - Guidance and Template for a full description of plan requirements.  

Principal and Co-Principal Investigator Responsibilities

鈥� Determine if off-campus/off-site research meets the NSF definition.  Questions should be directed to the  department chair and college research dean.

鈥� If the proposed activities meet the definition, use the 草榴社区 NSF Safe and Inclusive Working Environment - Guidance and Template to create the plan.

鈥� Upload the plan to the Cayuse SP record prior to routing for certifications and approvals.

鈥� Check the Off-Campus or Off-Site Research box on the proposal Cover Sheet.

鈥� Consult the proposal solicitation to determine whether or not the plan is required as a Supplementary Document.  

鈥� If required, upload the plan as a Supplementary Document.

If the proposal is selected for funding:

鈥� Distribute the plan to everyone who will participate in an off-campus or off-site research activity prior to their leaving campus

鈥� Retain documentation of who received the plan (ex. email or signup sheet), send a copy to the department chair and college research dean, and send a copy to OG&C to upload into the Cayuse SP record.

鈥� Ensure project personnel complete required training

When a Plan is required 鈥� additional information

鈥� Collaborative proposals 鈥� The lead organization uploads the collaborative plan, regardless of which organization is performing the off-campus/off-site activities.  

鈥� VU is a subaward 鈥� If there is off-campus/off-site activities as part of VU activities, VU PI(s) will include the Plan as part of the subaward package submitted to the prime institution.  

鈥� VU  proposal will include a subaward 鈥� If the subaward will have off-campus/off-site activities, the VU PI(s) is responsible for collecting the Plan from the subaward.

For more comprehensive information:

NSF Safe and Inclusive Working Environment - Guidance and Template