45 CFR § 617.15 - Exhaustion of administrative remedies.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t45/s617.15"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "45 CFR § 617.15 - Exhaustion of administrative remedies."
title_number: 45
title_name: "Public Welfare"
section_number: "617.15"
section_name: "Exhaustion of administrative remedies."
chapter_name: "NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION"
part_number: "617"
part_name: "NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM NSF"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6101, 45 CFR part 90."
regulatory_source: "49 FR 49628, Dec. 21, 1984, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "617"
---
# 617.15 Exhaustion of administrative remedies.
(a) A complainant may file a civil action after exhausting administrative remedies under the Act. Administrative remedies are exhausted if:
(1) 180 days have elapsed since the complainant filed a sufficient complaint and NSF has made no finding with regard to the complaint; or
(2) NSF issues any finding in favor of the recipient.
(b) If NSF fails to make a finding within 180 days or issues a finding in favor of the recipient, NSF will:
(1) Promptly advise the complainant of this fact; and
(2) Advise the complainant of his or her right to bring a civil action for injunctive relief under 42 U.S.C. 6104; and
(3) Inform the complainant that under 42 U.S.C. 6104:
(i) The complainant may bring a civil action only in a United States District court for the district in which the recipient is located or transacts business;
(ii) A complainant prevailing in a civil action has the right to be awarded the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees, but that the complainant must demand these costs in the complaint;
(iii) Before commencing the action the complainant shall give 30 days notice by registered mail to the Director, the Attorney General of the United States, and the recipient;
(iv) The notice must state the alleged violation of the Act; the relief requested; the court in which the complainant is bringing the action; and whether or not attorney's fees are demanded in the event the complainant prevails; and
(v) The complainant may not bring an action if the same alleged violation of the Act by the same recipient is the subject of a pending action in any court of the United States.