[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 45, Volume 3]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 45CFR689.5]

[Page 239-240]
 
                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
 
                 CHAPTER VI--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
 
PART 689--RESEARCH MISCONDUCT--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 689.5  Initial NSF handling of misconduct matters.

    (a) NSF staff who learn of alleged misconduct will promptly and 
discreetly inform OIG or refer informants to OIG.
    (b) The identity of informants who wish to remain anonymous will be 
kept confidential to the extent permitted by law or regulation.
    (c) If OIG determines that alleged research misconduct involves 
potential civil or criminal violations, OIG may refer the matter to the 
Department of Justice.
    (d) Otherwise OIG may:
    (1) Inform the awardee institution of the alleged research 
misconduct and encourage it to undertake an inquiry;

[[Page 240]]

    (2) Defer to inquiries or investigations of the awardee institution 
or of another Federal agency; or
    (3) At any time proceed with its own inquiry.
    (e) If OIG proceeds with its own inquiry it will normally complete 
the inquiry no more than 90 days after initiating it.
    (f) On the basis of what it learns from an inquiry and in 
consultation as appropriate with other NSF offices, OIG will decide 
whether a formal NSF investigation is warranted.