Office of Research NSF Code-of-Conduct Policy - Office of Research

NSF Code-of-Conduct Policy

NSF-Supported Conferences, Workshops, and Symposia

It is National Science Foundation policy to foster harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted, including at NSF-sponsored conferences, workshops, and symposia. The NSF Proposal Award Policy and Procedure Guide (PAPPG), effective February 25, 2019, requires applicants requesting NSF funds for the purpose of carrying out conferences, workshops, and symposia to have a policy or code-of-conduct that addresses sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault, and that includes clear and accessible means of reporting violations of the policy or code-of-conduct.

Recipients of NSF funds to carry out conferences, workshops, and symposia must also provide this policy or code of conduct to all event participants prior to the event and at the conference/workshop/symposium itself.

The following message complies with the above NSF requirements and has been approved for distribution by the UC Davis Harassment & Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP).  This message should be provided to all participants prior to and during NSF-supported conferences, symposia, and workshops carried out after February 25, 2019.


Code of Conduct Regarding Sexual and Other Forms of Harassment

Dear Participant:

This conference/workshop/symposium is supported all or in part by the National Science Foundation under Award No. ________.

We are required by the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (Chapter II.E.7), effective February 25, 2019, to provide all event participants with information on the University’s policy on sexual and other forms of harassment or sexual assault as well as directions on how to report any violations of this policy. For purposes of this requirement, “other forms of harassment” is defined as “non-gender or non-sex-based harassment of individuals protected under federal civil rights laws, as set forth in organizational policies or codes of conduct, statutes, regulations, or executive orders.”

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation.

The University has general policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of protected categories, including the University of California Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction), Student Code of Conduct (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/2710530/PACAOS-100). The University of California Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy (http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SHSV.pdf) (“Policy”) is specifically focused on sexual violence and sexual harassment, retaliation, and other behavior that violates University policy (“Prohibited Conduct”). THIS POLICY APPLIES TO THIS EVENT AND ALL EVENT ATTENDEES MUST CONFORM THEIR BEHAVIOR WITH THE POLICY. The Policy outlines the University’s responsibilities and procedures related to Prohibited Conduct in order to ensure an equitable and inclusive education and employment environment free of sexual violence and sexual harassment. The Policy defines conduct prohibited by the University of California and explains the administrative procedures the University uses to resolve reports of Prohibited Conduct. The Policy applies to all University employees as well as undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The Policy applies at all University campuses, Medical Centers, the Office of the President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and to all University programs and activities.

Confidential resources are also available to those who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual violence, or other Prohibited Conduct in connection with this event. Advocates can be reached 24 hours a day through UC Davis’s Harassment & Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (“HDAPP”): (530) 747-3864. Anonymous reports to HDAPP may be made by calling (530) 747-3865. For non-urgent questions or appointments, contact HDAPP at (530) 747-3864 or [email protected].

Reports to law enforcement can be made to UC Davis’s police department (UCDPD) for on-campus incidents or to the local department where the incident occurred. A confidential advocate from HDAPP or UCDPD staff can help determine which police department to contact. In an emergency, dial 911, or to reach UCDPD’s emergency line call (530) 754-2677. Reports to UCDPD can be made in person at 625 Kleiber Hall, Davis, CA 95616, or by phone (530) 754-2677.

The full text of the University’s Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy may be reviewed on the UC Office of the President website (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH). The University will respond promptly and effectively to reports of Prohibited Conduct and will take appropriate action to prevent, to correct, and when necessary and possible, to discipline behavior that violates the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment.


Questions regarding the distribution of the message should be sent to Sponsored Programs at [email protected].