[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 45, Volume 3]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 45CFR689.5]



[Page 252]

 

                        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;

    (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.