Employees of the University may not accept gifts, grants, or research contracts from private firms in which they have an equity interest, nor may they hold an equity interest in private firms having research objectives that are essentially the same or closely parallel to the employee's University research objectives. (The term "equity interest" means a financial interest in a firm such that the value of that interest could be directly and substantially affected by activities of the holder of the interest.) Advice and guidance concerning this policy can be obtained from the Vice Provost for Research.
