Conflicts of Interest in Research

Federal and state funding agencies have a myriad of compliance requirements for all institutions receiving grant funding. Of these compliance requirements, perhaps none is as daunting to understand as the certifications regarding conflicts of interest. Several potential conflicts of interest may exist:

Academic Conflict of Interest
Conflicts of Commitment
Financial Conflict of Interest
Organizational Conflicts of Interest

While each type of conflict of interests must be carefully considered before, during, and after the grant submission, award, and management processes, for the purposes of this page, the main type of conflict of interest we will focus on is the Financial Conflict of Interest.

Policy and Procedure

Angelo State University’s Operating Policy 56.08 applies to all faculty and staff who serve as the principal investigator, project director, or other senior/key personnel responsible for the development and conduct of a sponsored project.

A number of definitions exist, but the most succinct comes from the latest revision of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations*, which states that a “financial conflict of interest (FCOI) means a significant financial interest that could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct, or reporting of…research.”

Visit the links listed in the right-hand navigation to learn more about financial conflict of interest, including ASU’s policy, a brief tutorial, and other resources provided on external Websites.

*Source: Promoting Objectivity in Research, 42 C.F.R. pt. 50 (2011).

For individuals working on projects funded by the Public Health Service (PHS) or the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), training must be completed once every four years or whenever the policy is revised, whichever comes first. Online training is available through ASU’s subscription to the CITI Program. Individuals needing to complete training should email the Office of Sponsored Projects for more details on accessing the online course.

Resources

Numerous federal and private agencies have developed resources related to financial conflict of interest. For additional information regarding agency policies, frequently asked questions, and implementation of conflict of interest policies at other institutions, please visit the Websites listed below.

National Science Foundation Policy on conflicts of interest
42 CFR 50, Subpart F: Promoting Objectivity in Research, applicable to all projects funded under the Public Health Service, including the NIH
National Institutes of Health Tutorial on Financial Conflict of Interest
Frequently Asked Questions about the NIH’s revised regulations
U.S. Department of Education Policy on Conflict of Interest

Conflicts of Interest in Research

Policy and Procedure

What do I have to report?

What is a financial conflict of interest?

How often do I have to report?

How often do I have to attend training?

Resources