(1) If employees of the DFG Head Office become aware of specific suspicions of scientific misconduct in connection with their official duties, they immediately inform the Research Integrity Team, which is responsible for conducting a preliminary inquiry into any suspected instance of scientific misconduct. 

(2) In the case of a sufficiently substantiated suspicion of scientific misconduct (§ 1 to 12), generally submitted in writing and also if submitted anonymously, the Research Integrity Team initiates a preliminary inquiry. 2Otherwise, a preliminary inquiry is not initiated; this is communicated to the complainant. 

(3) In the course of the preliminary inquiry, the person suspected of misconduct must be confronted with the incriminating facts and given the opportunity to submit a written statement in response to all the allegations raised. The statement must generally be submitted within four weeks. This period may be extended depending on the circumstances of the individual case. 

(4) The Research Integrity Team may obtain expert statements and opinions at any stage of the procedure. 

(5) At this stage of the procedure the identity of the complainant shall not be disclosed to the respondent without the former’s consent. The DFG may discontinue the procedure in order to protect the identity of the complainant, providing the alleged misconduct is not severe and the protection of the complainant’s identity outweighs the interest in establishing the truth of the allegations. 

(6) The DFG’s Rules for Avoiding Conflicts of Interest apply accordingly to employees of the DFG Head Office.