Conflict of Interest in Research

In May 1986 an information piece combining several existing University statements and policies on conflict of interest was approved by the Faculty Senate. The material appears in the Research Policies and Procedures Guide published in September 1987 by the Office of Research. Copies are available from the Vice Provost for Research.

The University had previously adopted a policy statement developed in 1966 by the American Council on Education in cooperation with the AAUP ("On Preventing Conflicts of Interest in Government- Sponsored Research at Universities"). As a subscriber to that policy, the University is obligated to call to the attention of all faculty potential conflict-of-interest situations on government-sponsored research. The most common ones include the following:

1. Favoring outside interests by:
   • releasing proprietary information for personal gain,
   • orienting research to benefit outside interests,
   • obtaining benefits for arranging purchase of equipment, instruments, etc.,
   • using privileged information for personal gain,
   • influencing the negotiation of contracts, or
   • accepting gratuities or special favors from private organizations in return for influencing the conduct of research.
2. Overcommitting time so that a contract or grant does not receive the time or effort called for by the agreement.
3. Consulting for one or more government agencies or their contractors in the same technical field as the government research project, which may result in giving advice that is of questionable objectivity.

Although this policy applies specifically to government- sponsored research, the same principles should be used to guide research supported by private sponsors.