Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Accessible Workplaces
Federal agencies support diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work, research, and funding environments that value mutual respect and personal integrity, safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted and where people can learn, grow, and thrive. To achieve these goals, agencies are requiring research teams to develop plans that ensure equity and safety across all research work environments. Current requirements for each agency are included below.
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U.S. Department of Energy
Promoting Inclusivity and Equity in Research - Beginning in fiscal year 2023, all Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and DOE National Lab Announcements and other funding solicitations will require applicants to submit a Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plan as an appendix to their proposal narrative. PIER Plans should describe the activities and strategies applicants will incorporate to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in their research projects. PIER Plans will be evaluated as part of the merit review process and will be used to inform funding decisions.
The PIER plan should describe the activities and strategies of the applicant to promote equity and inclusion as an intrinsic element to advancing scientific excellence in the research project within the context of the proposing institution and any associated research group(s). Plans may include, but are not limited to: strategies of your institution (and collaborating institutions, if applicable) for enhanced recruitment of undergraduate students, graduate students, and early-stage investigators (postdoctoral researchers, and others), including individuals from diverse backgrounds and groups historically underrepresented in the research community; strategies for creating and sustaining a positive, inclusive, safe, and professional research and training environment that fosters a sense of belonging among all research personnel; and/or training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities1. Plans may incorporate or build upon existing diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion efforts of the project key personnel or applicant institution(s), but should not be a re-statement of standard institutional policies or broad principles. The complexity and detail of a PIER is expected to increase with the size of the research team and the number of personnel to be supported.
View the resources below for additional information.
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National Science Foundation
Safe and Inclusive Work Environments - For each proposal that proposes to conduct research off campus or off site, in most cases, the AOR must complete a certification that the organization has a plan in place for that proposal that describes how the following types of behavior will be addressed:
- Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying, or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; or
- Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly.
For the solicitations listed below, the two-page plan must be submitted with the application:
- BIO core solicitations:
- Division of Environmental Biology (NSF 23-549)
- Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (NSF 23-547)
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (NSF 23-548)
- Biodiversity on a Changing Planet (BoCP, NSF 23-542)
- Pathways into the Geosciences (GEOPAths, NSF 23-540)
- Cultural Transformation in the Geosciences Community (CTGC, NSF 23-539)
View the resources below for additional information.
Note: The sample workplan below is provided for information only and should not be copied.
