(1) After reviewing the respondent’s statement or after the deadline for submission of the statement has expired, the Research Integrity Team shall promptly prepare a decision as to whether the preliminary inquiry can be discontinued or whether it should be referred for formal investigation. 2The preliminary inquiry may be discontinued due to a lack of reasonable suspicion of scientific misconduct or due to insignificance. 

(2) If there is no reasonable suspicion that scientific misconduct occurred, the Research Integrity Team discontinues the procedure. 

(3) Discontinuance on the grounds of insignificance may be appropriate in less severe cases of scientific misconduct. In this connection, it may be counted in the respondent’s favour if they have contributed significantly to establishing the facts of the scientific misconduct or if they have taken or offered to take measures to remedy, minimise or compensate for the damage caused. 

(4) Discontinuance due to insignificance requires the approval of all voting members of the Committee of Inquiry on Allegations of Scientific Misconduct (§ 19). If not all members of the Committee of Inquiry on Allegations of Scientific Misconduct agree, the suspected case is dealt with at a meeting of the Committee. 

(5) The complainant shall be notified of the decision to discontinue the procedure due to lack of reasonable suspicion and informed of the main reasons for this decision. If the complainant does not agree with the termination of the preliminary inquiry, they have the right to submit a remonstration to the DFG Head Office within two weeks. Such a remonstration may only be submitted if it is based on new facts. 4The Research Integrity team then reviews its decision. 

(6) The decision that concludes the preliminary inquiry shall be communicated to the respondent and the complainant, stating the main reasons.