The Research Office has implemented a feature in WVU+kc for submitting, approving and storing documents related to a new National Science Foundation requirement.
In January, the NSF introduced a requirement for researchers conducting research off-campus or off-site to have a plan for how they will promote a safe and inclusive working environment, and how they will address behaviors that threaten or compromise a safe and inclusive working environment.
Researchers need to submit the plan in WVU+kc so WVU can certify it has a plan on file for the proposed project. This is a pre-submission requirement; the NSF will not accept a research proposal without this certification.
In most cases, researchers do not need to include the plan in their proposal, but certain solicitations in BIO and GEO are conducting a pilot program that requires researchers to include it as a supplemental document. As of Oct. 24, the solicitations that require submission of the plan are NSF 23-549, NSF 23-547, NSF 23-548, NSF 23-542, NSF 23-540, NSF 23-539.
To access the new feature, go to the “Questions” tab in Kuali to identify if you need a plan. Researchers who answer “yes” to the question about off-campus or off-site research will be prompted to contact Responsible Conduct of Research Director Trisha Phillips to develop a plan to be uploaded into WVU+kc.
For more information, contact Phillips at trisha.phillips@mail.wvu.edu.