New Guidance Document
In addition to the National Science Foundation 
(NSF), more sponsors now require principal investigators to submit a Safe & Inclusive Work Environments plan as part of their proposal package. The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), Equal Opportunity & Compliance Office (EOC), and Office of University Council (OUC) collaborated to provide a new guidance document on how to create these plans.
The new Safe and Inclusive Work Environments Plan Guidance may be found on the OSP Proposal Guidance webpage.
Key Deadlines to Submit Plans
EOC and OSP must approve all plans prior to submission to the sponsor. Please be cognizant of the following deadlines:
- Draft plans which follow the instructions in the new guidance document with all sections included must be received for review at least five (5) business days prior to the sponsor’s submission deadline, consistent with OSP Standard 300.03 – Deadlines for Proposal Submission to University Offices.
- Draft plans which deviate from instructions in the new guidance document, must be received at least ten (10) business days prior to the sponsor’s submission deadline.
How to Submit Plans
Submit your completed draft plans and a copy of the sponsor guidelines via the Safe & Inclusive Work Environments Plan Review Form. EOC and OSP will review this submission and reach out with any questions.
For questions related to Safe & Inclusive Work Environment Plans, please email safeinclusiveplans@unc.edu. For all other general inquiries, contact SponsoredPrograms@unc.edu.