Conflict of Interest and Commitment
A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when an individual or entity is in a situation where their interests or affiliations could compromise their professional judgment, objectivity, or integrity in carrying out their duties or responsibilities. In a research environment, conflicts of interest can arise in various forms: financial conflicts, personal relationships, and academic conflicts.
Some federal and non–federal sponsors include financial interest/conflict of interest disclosure requirements in their award terms and conditions. Listed below are some of the sponsors with such requirements. By clicking on the sponsor, you can review that sponsor’s requirements.
Managing conflicts of interest is crucial in the research environment for several reasons: maintaining objectivity, protecting credibility, upholding ethical standards, and promoting public trust.
To manage conflicts of interest effectively, research institutions must establish policies and procedures that require disclosing potential conflicts, evaluating their significance, and implementing measures to mitigate or eliminate them. These measures may include oversight by independent review boards, transparency in reporting financial interests, recusal from decision-making roles, and establishment of firewalls between conflicting roles or responsibilities. By proactively addressing conflicts of interest, the research community can uphold the integrity and credibility of the scientific enterprise.
Federal Regulations
