---
kind: "unit"
title: "45"
title_heading: "Public Welfare"
key: "subtB/chVI/part681"
level: "part"
label: "Part 681"
heading: "Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act Regulations"
release: "ecfr-current"
date: "2026-08-27"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/subtB-chVI-part681"
sections_count: 46
---

# Part 681 — Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act Regulations

Title 45 C.F.R. — Public Welfare › Subtitle B — Regulations Relating to Public Welfare › Chapter VI — National Science Foundation

## Sections

- [§681.1. Purpose.](/cfr/45/681.1.md)
- [§681.2. Definitions.](/cfr/45/681.2.md)
- [§681.3. What is the basis for the imposition of civil penalties and assessments?](/cfr/45/681.3.md)
- [§681.4. Who investigates program fraud?](/cfr/45/681.4.md)
- [§681.5. What happens if program fraud is suspected?](/cfr/45/681.5.md)
- [§681.6. When may NSF issue a complaint?](/cfr/45/681.6.md)
- [§681.7. What is contained in a complaint?](/cfr/45/681.7.md)
- [§681.8. How will the complaint be served?](/cfr/45/681.8.md)
- [§681.9. How does a defendant respond to the complaint?](/cfr/45/681.9.md)
- [§681.10. What happens if a defendant fails to file an answer?](/cfr/45/681.10.md)
- [§681.11. What happens once an answer is filed?](/cfr/45/681.11.md)
- [§681.12. What kind of hearing is contemplated?](/cfr/45/681.12.md)
- [§681.13. At the hearing, what rights do the parties have?](/cfr/45/681.13.md)
- [§681.14. What is the role of the ALJ?](/cfr/45/681.14.md)
- [§681.15. How are the functions of the ALJ separated from those of the investigating official and the reviewing official?](/cfr/45/681.15.md)
- [§681.16. Can the reviewing official or ALJ be disqualified?](/cfr/45/681.16.md)
- [§681.17. What rights are there to review documents?](/cfr/45/681.17.md)
- [§681.18. What type of discovery is authorized and how is it conducted?](/cfr/45/681.18.md)
- [§681.19. Are witness lists exchanged before the hearing?](/cfr/45/681.19.md)
- [§681.20. Can witnesses be subpoenaed?](/cfr/45/681.20.md)
- [§681.21. Who pays the costs for a subpoena?](/cfr/45/681.21.md)
- [§681.22. Are protective orders available?](/cfr/45/681.22.md)
- [§681.23. How are documents filed and served with the ALJ?](/cfr/45/681.23.md)
- [§681.24. How is time computed?](/cfr/45/681.24.md)
- [§681.25. Where is the hearing held?](/cfr/45/681.25.md)
- [§681.26. How will the hearing be conducted and who has the burden of proof?](/cfr/45/681.26.md)
- [§681.27. How is evidence presented at the hearing?](/cfr/45/681.27.md)
- [§681.28. How is witness testimony presented?](/cfr/45/681.28.md)
- [§681.29. Will the hearing proceedings be recorded?](/cfr/45/681.29.md)
- [§681.30. Are ex parte communications between a party and the ALJ permitted?](/cfr/45/681.30.md)
- [§681.31. Are there sanctions for misconduct?](/cfr/45/681.31.md)
- [§681.32. Are post-hearing briefs required?](/cfr/45/681.32.md)
- [§681.33. How is the case decided?](/cfr/45/681.33.md)
- [§681.34. How are penalty and assessment amounts determined?](/cfr/45/681.34.md)
- [§681.35. Can a party request reconsideration of the initial decision?](/cfr/45/681.35.md)
- [§681.36. When does the initial decision of the ALJ become final?](/cfr/45/681.36.md)
- [§681.37. What are the procedures for appealing the ALJ decision?](/cfr/45/681.37.md)
- [§681.38. What happens if an initial decision is appealed?](/cfr/45/681.38.md)
- [§681.39. Are there any limitations on the right to appeal to the authority head?](/cfr/45/681.39.md)
- [§681.40. How does the authority head dispose of an appeal?](/cfr/45/681.40.md)
- [§681.41. What judicial review is available?](/cfr/45/681.41.md)
- [§681.42. Can the administrative complaint be settled voluntarily?](/cfr/45/681.42.md)
- [§681.43. How are civil penalties and assessments collected?](/cfr/45/681.43.md)
- [§681.44. Is there a right to administrative offset?](/cfr/45/681.44.md)
- [§681.45. What happens to collections?](/cfr/45/681.45.md)
- [§681.46. What if the investigation indicates criminal misconduct?](/cfr/45/681.46.md)