Research Integrity Office
Duke Conflict of Interest
Individual Conflict of Interest in Research
Duke manages Conflict of Interest (COI) in a manner consistent with NIH policies or sponsor requirements. Duke has the responsibility to identify and manage any conflicts of interest that may be created by a financial interest of an individual related to research conducted at Duke.
All individuals (faculty and non-faculty) who contribute to the design, conduct or reporting of research, regardless of funding source; who teach or provide healthcare; and individuals who make purchasing or contracting decisions at Duke, are required to disclose financial interests of ≥$5,000 for themselves and their immediate family. A “Financial Interest” means receiving anything of monetary value, including, but not limited to, any payments for services (e.g., consulting fees, lecture payments, advisory board payments, or honoraria); equity interests (e.g., stocks, stock options, or other ownership interests); intellectual property rights (e.g., patents, copyrights, and royalties from such rights); and gifts, gratuities, or donations at the individual’s request.
Each individual is responsible for maintaining a current, accurate disclosure form with the Research Integrity Office. Individuals must update their COI disclosure form within 30 calendar days of discovering, acquiring or establishing any new significant financial interests or changes in any existing significant financial interests that might reasonably be related to their Duke responsibilities.
COI training must be completed prior to engaging in research related to any PHS-funded project and updated as required by the institution.
Failure to fully and accurately disclose financial interests, to maintain a current accurate disclosure form or to follow federal, other sponsor or institutional requirements related to COI may result in disciplinary action.
The Conflict of Interest Committee reviews and manages individual conflicts of interest.
Conflict of Interest Liaison by Department
Frequently Asked Questions | |
| Frequently Asked Questions | Often, faculty and staff have similar questions regarding the conflict of interest process. This link provides answers to some general questions. |
| Sponsored Travel FAQ | For individuals who receive Public Health Service (PHS) funding for research, PHS rules require disclosure of all reimbursed or sponsored travel (i.e., that which is paid on behalf of the individual). The web address to disclose travel is https://adgapps.duhs.duke.edu/phs_travel |
Policies | |
| Individual Conflict of Interest Policy | Adopted by the Duke University Board of Trustees, COI policy applies to individuals on faculty or staff at Duke University. |
| Individual Conflict of Interest Policy Implementation | The Duke University School of Medicine issues this document to implement in the School of Medicine. |
| DUHS Gifts and Courtesies Policy DUHS Gifts and Courtesies FAQ | Duke University and the Duke University Health System have developed policies that address issues of potential or actual conflict of interest that may arise from relationships with industry that extend beyond research. |
| SBIR/STTR | The Duke University School of Medicine has approved a policy to address potential conflict of interest issues regarding National Institutes of Health-funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. |
| Promotional Medical Education Policy | |
Forms | |
| Conflict of Interest Reporting Form | Annually in February/March, faculty members and some staff members are required to submit a conflict of interest reporting form electronically. This link will provide access to submit the form or update your existing form when a change of status has occurred |
| Directions for Completing the Reporting Form | Additional instructions for completing your conflict of interest reporting form are provided to assist you in submitting your reporting form |
| Video Demonstration on Completing the Reporting Form | A video demonstration of completing the conflict of interest reporting form is available for review |
For RIO Staff and COI Admins | |
| COI Admin | COI Admin is a password protected web site used by the Research Integrity Office and departmental COI liaisons to coordinate conflict of interest reporting forms. To view the site, one must be an authorized user. |
Requests for information concerning significant financial interest related to PHS-funded research disclosed to the Institution.
Requests may be made by either by email to riocomm@dm.duke.edu or by writing Research Integrity Office, DUMC 2704, Durham, NC 27710. The request must include the grant number and/or title and name of each investigator for which the information is being requested.
Institutional Conflict of Interest
An institutional conflict of interest ("Institutional COI") describes a situation in which the financial interests of an institution or an institutional official, acting within his or her authority on behalf of the institution, may affect or appear to affect the research, education, clinical care, business transactions, or other activities of the institution. Institutional conflicts of interest are reviewed and managed by the Duke Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee.
| Institutional Conflict of Interest Policy | For instances when Duke University has the potential for conflicts of interest, the institution is governed by the Institutional Conflict of Interest Policy which approved by the Duke University Board of Trustees. |
| Institutional Conflict of Interest Policy Implementation | The Institutional COI Policy Implementation provides examples of cases when and how the Institutional COI Policy is implemented. |
