Conflict of Interest in Research Disclosure

Conflict of Interest (COI) Reporting

West Virginia University encourages its faculty, students and staff to uphold the highest ethical standards in their research activities. While the potential for conflicts of interest to arise is understandable, investigators must strive to limit introduction of bias into their research. To maintain compliance with these standards, WVU requires principal investigators and co-investigators on any IRB, IACUC, or OSP projects to participate in training and reporting on conflicts of interest in research. These requirements must be fulfilled before your protocol can be approved through the IRB or IACUC, and before funds will be released by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).

COI in Research Disclosure

WVU investigators are required to report any external financial relationships that constitute a significant financial interest and might appear to represent a conflict with their institutional duties, including research.

View Conflict of Interest (COI) for more information and step-by-step guides to the COI process.

What to Disclose

Investigators are required to disclose any Significant Financial Interest (SFI) to the University. A SFI is any financial interest that meets the following criteria: • Any financial interest (you or immediate family) that appears to be related to your university responsibilities (research, teaching, memberships, etc.). • For Public Health Service funded investigators, also disclose any sponsored travel where the total exceeds $5000 from a single sponsoring entity (some exceptions apply).

When to Disclose

WVU investigators are required to file a DOIR form annually, and on an ongoing basis within 30 days of discovery or acquisition of a new financial interest. Investigators must review and make any necessary revisions to their conflict of interest in research disclosure:

• with each new, continued, or revised grant/contract application submitted to the OSP,

• with each new protocol involving animal or human subjects, and;

• when there is a new or previously unrecognized financial interest.