NSF Safe and Inclusive Working Environments Plan for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research
New or renewal proposals to NSF submitted January 30, 2023 or later that involve off-campus or off-site research require that PIs take an additional step to safeguard participants when engaging in off-campus research activities. Specifically, PIs must create a plan for a safe and inclusive work environments - and distribute that plan to each participant- in advance of departure for an off-campus research activity and in advance of routing any proposals for URA review & endorsement. Please note that in certain instances, a funding opportunity may require a 2-page document that is separate from the plan kept internally.
To reduce administrative burden on faculty, URA has created a packet that includes a template plan that includes instructions, core University policy and procedure information as well as fields for PIs to complete their project-specific information.
Memo to Faculty Outlining the New Requirement
This memo contains information about the new requirement and how it is being implemented at the University of Chicago.
Safe and Inclusive Work Plan + Form Template
Download this document to obtain both the instructions and the plan template in a single document.
Safe and Inclusive Work Plan Template (Form only)
This document includes the plan only, and may be more convenient for PIs to send to their participants (omits the introduction/instructions pages).
Frequently Asked Questions
This document contains answers to questions that may arise as plans are prepared, and includes suggestions for PIs facing "special circumstances" that may arise when conducting certain off-campus research and fieldwork. The FAQs also contain information about working with certain Directorates that require alternative forms of these plans to be included in a proposal (as opposed to being held locally at the University.)