SUNY ESF
Conflict of Interest
SUNY ESF uses the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) to facilitate the Conflict of Interest (COI) training requirement.
SUNY ESF is committed to promoting objectivity in research and to maintaining high ethical standards to ensure that the design, conduct, and reporting of research is not biased by the financial interests of Investigators. To ensure that research programs are not compromised, policies have been put in place, consistent with federal regulations and guidelines that require the reporting and management of potential conflicts of interests (COI) of its Investigators.
Investigators must complete and submit an Investigator Disclosure Statement:
- Annually;
- Prior to the activation of an award;
- Prior to award maintenance, i.e. additional funding;
- When required by the sponsor or by the terms and conditions of an award; and
- Within 30 days of discovering or acquiring a new Significant Financial Interest, or when an existing Significant Financial Interest materially changes.
Each Investigator engaged in a sponsored project must have a completed Investigator Disclosure Statement in the Pre-Award Compliance System (PACS) at the time of an application for funding. Helpful tips on submitting a disclosure in PACS can be found here. An Investigator that has reported significant conflicts of interest will be asked for additional information.
Note: “Investigator” is defined as the project director or principal investigator, co-principal investigator, and any other person, regardless of title or position, who is responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of research.
Training (CITI – Conflict of Interest Module – Two parts required)
Conflict of Interest training is mandated for all Investigators engaged in sponsored research activities. COI training is required for each Investigator involved in U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) funded research and other funded research when required by the sponsor. Required COI training must be completed.
- Prior to submitting their Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure and at least once every four years thereafter;
- when an Investigator is noncompliant with this Policy or with a management plan developed for the Investigator.
SUNY ESF ORP - Conflict of Interest
Revised 11/22/2017