NSF Creates New Records for Harassment and Accommodation Complaints
Published Date: 11/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation is setting up new record systems to better handle complaints and requests related to awardee compliance, accommodations, and harassment prevention. These changes affect anyone involved with NSF programs and aim to make sure issues are tracked and resolved quickly. You can share your thoughts by December 7, 2026, when the new rules will officially kick in—no extra costs involved!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Online complaint system for awardees
You can file and track complaints about discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in NSF-funded programs using NSF's new online case management system (NSF-84). Complaints are submitted by creating a CMS user account, OMB Control No. 3145-0288 (approved April 8, 2026) applies to the form, and records are maintained and retrieved by the subject individual's case number or other personally assigned identifier.
E-filing for reasonable accommodations
If you are an NSF employee, job applicant, or visitor, you may request a reasonable accommodation electronically through NSF's e-filing system (NSF-85) by registering for an account and submitting supporting information; you can also view the status of requests you created through the system without filing a formal Privacy Act access request. Records may include medical or other substantiating documentation and are retrieved by the subject individual's name or assigned identifier.
Central tracking for sexual assault/harassment reports
NSF is creating a central electronic tracking system (NSF-86) for sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking incidents connected to NSF-funded programs so the agency can coordinate referrals, provide information and support, and track incidents by assigned case number or impacted individual's name. Third-party confidential service provider records remain outside NSF agency records and are not intended to be shared with NSF unless legally required or the individual consents.
Records may be shared with institutions and authorities
Information in these systems (NSF-84, NSF-85, NSF-86) may be disclosed to awardee institutions, law enforcement, contractors, auditors, Congress, courts, and other Federal or state entities as listed under the systems' routine uses, and may be shared in response to a suspected or confirmed breach. Such routine disclosures apply to case records and supporting documentation.
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Key Dates
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