All National Science Foundation awards pass through our merit review process, considered to be the' gold standard' of scientific review. Sarah Bates More Quotes by Sarah Bates More Quotes From Sarah Bates It is important to note that the Hatch Act prohibits Federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, in a government building or using government resources, political activity is defined as activity directed toward the success or failure of a political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group. National Science Foundation staff receives annual ethics training, which includes the Hatch Act. Sarah Bates politics