The U.S. National Science Foundation's scientific integrity (SI) policy establishes the expectations and procedures required to maintain and enhance scientific integrity at the agency and across the research community.
In compliance with the Administration’s Executive Order (EO): Restoring Gold Standard Science, we are updating the NSF’s SI policy.
Following the guidance in the EO, the following SI Policy is temporarily in-place (last updated in 2019).
On this page
Reporting SI allegations
Scientific integrity allegations involving the NSF workforce should be reported by email to SIComplaint@nsf.gov or sent by mail to:
Scientific Integrity
U.S. National Science Foundation
2415 Eisenhower Ave.
Suite 19000
Alexandria, VA 22314
Additional information
Research misconduct
The NSF Research Misconduct Regulation (45 C.F.R. part 689) defines research misconduct as fabrication, falsification and plagiarism in proposing or performing research funded by NSF, reviewing research proposals submitted to NSF, or in reporting research results funded by NSF.
Allegations of research misconduct involving NSF, its applicants or awardees, should be reported to the NSF Office of Inspector General (OIG) through the OIG website hotline.
All allegations of research misconduct submitted to NSF's scientific integrity official will be forwarded to the OIG.
Harassment or discrimination
NSF's Stopping Harassment and Assault webpage outlines the agency's policies regarding harassment and assault.
Allegations of harassment and discrimination involving NSF or its awardees should be reported to NSF's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) .
Allegations of discrimination and harassment submitted to NSF's scientific integrity official will be forwarded to the OCR.
Whistleblower protection
An allegation of whistleblower retaliation can be reported through the OIG's Whistleblower Retaliation webpage or sent to the Office of Special Counsel.
Contact us
Questions or concerns about scientific integrity? Please contact:
U.S. National Science Foundation
2415 Eisenhower Ave., W-19132
Alexandria, VA 22314
sio@nsf.gov
Comments regarding NSF's scientific integrity policy and procedures may be directed to scientificintegrity@nsf.gov.
