Guidance on Travel and Conference Proposals to NSF

Are you preparing an NSF “Travel Grant”?

While many NSF grants include a request for travel, these requests do not constitute a formal NSF “Travel Grant.” Separate guidelines for “Travel Grants” are available here: PAPPG on Preparing Travel Proposals

Notably, we are making this certification when we submit:

“By signing the Cover Sheet, the AOR is certifying that prior to the proposer’s participation in the meeting, the proposer will assure that the meeting organizer has a written policy or code-of-conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, and sexual assault, and that includes clear and accessible means of reporting violations of the policy or code-of-conduct. The policy or code-of-conduct must address the method for making a complaint as well as how any complaints received during the meeting will be resolved. The proposer is not required to submit the meeting organizer’s policy or code-of-conduct for review by NSF.”

 

Are you preparing an NSF “Conference Grant”?

While many NSF grants include a request to attend conferences, these requests do not constitute a formal NSF “Conference Grant,” in which the PI proposes to host a conference. Separate guidelines for “Conference Grants” are available here PAPPG on Preparing Conference Proposals

“It is NSF policy (see Chapter XI.A.1.g.) to foster harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted, including at NSF-sponsored conferences. Proposers are required to have a policy or code-of-conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment[47], and sexual assault, and that includes clear and accessible means of reporting violations of the policy or code-of-conduct. The policy or code-of-conduct must address the method for making a complaint as well as how any complaints received during the conference will be resolved. This policy or code-of-conduct must be disseminated to conference participants prior to attendance at the conference as well as made available at the conference itself. Proposers should not submit the policy or code-of-conduct to NSF for review.”

 

Below we provide recommended language for your notice to attendees, both prior to and at the conference.

____________________________________________________

Notice to NSF-Sponsored Conference Attendees

[Prior to the Conference] We are looking forward to welcoming you to Colorado and to the Colorado College campus. [At the Conference] We are delighted to welcome you to Colorado and to the Colorado College campus. In order to ensure the best learning environment for all attendees and presenters, we remind all conference participants of the following Code of Conduct, and provide below methods for reporting violations of this Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct for NSF-Sponsored Conferences

Colorado College is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression or perceived gender, pregnancy, or any other status protected under local, state or federal law; and sexual misconduct, including but not limited to, sexual violence, such as partner, dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and stalking. The College prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination and harassment against students, faculty, staff, applicants for admission or employment, and visitors in its education programs and activities, employment practices or public accommodations, including conferences hosted on our campus. To further this commitment, the College prohibits retaliation against anyone participating in an investigation of alleged violations of this Policy or in any related proceeding, including a criminal proceeding or a proceeding with a government agency.

The College requires all faculty and staff, except confidential resources, to promptly report conduct that may violate this Policy to the Title IX Coordinator or one of the Deputy Title IX Coordinator. The College also strongly encourages students, applicants for admission and employment, and visitors to promptly report to the College conduct that may violate this Policy. Additionally, in the case such conduct may be criminal in nature, the college encourages individuals to report it to law enforcement if they feel safe and comfortable doing so. Even when a report is not made, the College will promptly and appropriately address conduct it becomes aware of that may violate this Policy. In the case of Title IX Sexual Harassment, when the College has actual knowledge of Title IX Sexual Harassment in its education programs or activities against a person in the United States, as articulated in the Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures (hereinafter referred to as the “Title IX Procedures”), it has an obligation to investigate and/or remedy prohibited conduct. Whenever a report of conduct prohibited by this Policy is received, the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator will assess the allegations and assist the reporting party in initiating the desired or necessary grievance process, as described in more detail in this Policy.

An alleged violation of this Policy will be investigated and remedied in accordance with the procedures of this Policy or, when appropriate, the Title IX Procedures. The College retains sole discretion to take appropriate action, depending on the facts and circumstances of any particular situation and consistent with applicable law. The College is committed to procedures that are equitable for the reporting party (and the subject of an alleged violation if not the reporting party) and the responding party. The College strives to impartially and reliably investigate alleged violations of this Policy and take prompt and appropriate action when violations are found to have occurred so as to prevent their recurrence and remedy their effects.

Individuals who engage in discrimination and harassment in violation of this Policy will be subject to disciplinary and other remedial action under this and other applicable policies. Conduct that violates this Policy may also violate certain criminal and civil laws, including but not limited to Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Violence Against Women Act, all as amended.

Complaints received during this conference will be attended to promptly and will be resolved in compliance with Colorado College’s Non-discrimination and Antiharassment Policy and Procedure and the Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure.

Read the full text of our Non-discrimination and Antiharassment Policy and Procedure here.

Read the full text of our Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedures here.

This Policy does not create any contractual rights between the College and any individual, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, applicants or visitors.

 

Methods for Reporting a Violation of this Code of Conduct

To raise a concern or make a report of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, or related retaliation - whether it involves a student, faculty member, staff member, visitor or third party, contact the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX.

CC’s Office for Civil Rights and Title IX is a resource for all students, staff, and faculty and visitors for concerns involving:

  • Discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Sexual Misconduct (including sexual harassment and sexual assault)
  • Dating/Domestic Violence
  • Stalking
  • Related Retaliation

A report can be filed online at the above link, or

 https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/titleix/index.html

A report can be filed by contacting our Title IX coordinator:

Joshua Isringhausen, Title IX Coordinator
Assistant Director for Civil Rights and Title IX
Phone: (719) 389-6886
Office: 214 E. Dale St. Unit 210

To make an anonymous report, use Speak Up Colorado College, a secure reporting tool, with the option to file anonymously online or by Phone: 1-800-461-9330.

For incidents involving students, you may also contact the Office of the Dean of Students:
The Office of the Dean of Students
719-389-6689 | Armstrong Room 107 | deanofstudents@coloradocollege.edu

For incidents involving a faculty or staff member, you may also contact Human Resources:
Human Resources
719-389-6421 | 14 East Cache La Poudre Street  | HR@coloradocollege.edu

For emergency and after-hours assistance, contact:
Colorado College Campus Safety
719-389-6911 (emergency) or 719-389-6707 (non-emergency) 

More on Reporting Options and Procedures, including Confidential Resources, is available here.

 

Report an issue - Last updated: 11/28/2023