After Misconduct, Debar, Retrain? Citing Staffing, OIG Stops Advising NSF on Sanctions

Cohen Seglias partner Paul Thaler provided insight on recent changes to how the National Science Foundation (NSF) handles research misconduct cases, particularly the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) decision to stop recommending specific sanctions. In the Health Care Compliance Association’s Report on Research Compliance, Thaler noted that while the shift may reduce transparency, it is unlikely to significantly impact outcomes, as NSF retains final authority over disciplinary actions.

The principal investigator (PI) got lucky the second time. After getting a copy of a previously awarded National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Program proposal, the PI made “slight” edits and submitted it for funding- but it was rejected.

“A year later, the PI used the same text in a new NSF CAREER proposal, which was funded. The PI acknowledged copying the text and making minimal edits. The PI resigned from the university,” the NSF Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported in its most recent semiannual report (SAR) to Congress.