How to file a formal complaint
To file a formal complaint, you must register for an account using the "File a complaint" link below. Your registration information will be anonymous, and the NSF Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) will not have access to your information until after you submit your complaint. After filing a complaint, a team member will reach out if additional information is needed.
Support for victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking
The NSF Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response Program (SAHPR) office is available to support survivors and victims by providing resources, advocacy and support with navigating how and where to initiate a report.
Who should file a complaint
Anyone who has experienced, witnessed, or is aware of harassment or discrimination from an NSF awardee or NSF-funded program or activity should report it to NSF.
The basis of the harassment or discrimination must fall under the four civil rights laws and regulations, including race, color, national origin, disability, sex and/or age. NSF will dismiss any complaint that does not meet one of those bases.
Individuals may also file a complaint with NSF if they believe they have been retaliated against for filing a complaint, participating in a complaint investigation, or exercising rights provided by these regulations
Reports may also be made by individuals and organizations that have not been harassed or discriminated against but are aware of harassment and discrimination happening to others in NSF-funded programs.
For any complaint that OECR would investigate, the last act of discrimination must have occurred no later than 90 days from the date of the filed complaint (45 CFR 611.7). A waiver or extension can be requested. OECR will then review the request and determine whether to grant the waiver or extension of the timeframe.
For more information about NSF's complaint procedures, please refer to the Discrimination Complaint Processing Manual.
Frequently asked questions
A formal complaint indicates that you would like OECR to review the information you submit and determine whether it will accept, dismiss or refer your allegations to another federal agency with jurisdiction to investigate.
You may submit formal complaints anonymously, or you may provide your name but decline consent to share your name outside NSF; however, these conditions may limit the scope of OECR's ability to evaluate and investigate your complaint. OECR may close the complaint if releasing the complainant's identity is deemed crucial to the investigation and resolution of the complaint.
If you have any questions or issues submitting a complaint, please contact programcomplaints@nsf.gov.
If you do not wish to file a formal complaint but want to communicate information regarding discrimination, harassment and retaliation in NSF-funded programs, please contact OECR at programcomplaints@nsf.gov or (703) 292-7020.
OECR may use the information you provide to identify awardee organizations for civil rights compliance reviews, which are broader in scope than complaint investigations. The information may also be used to determine whether the awardee organization is required to file a notification with NSF.
OECR will take appropriate steps to protect the names and other personally identifiable information of individuals who submit reports of harassment or discrimination consistent with NSF policy as well as the "Privacy Act," "Freedom of Information Act," and other applicable federal law. NSF awardees may not retaliate against individuals who report harassment or discrimination; file harassment or discrimination complaints; participate in a harassment or discrimination complaint; or participate in compliance review as a witness, interviewee, and other protected activities.