Compliance

Conflicts of Interest

SUNY Policies

SUNY Conflict of Interest Policy, Document Number 6001
Faculty and staff of the State University of New York (University) are encouraged to foster an atmosphere of academic freedom by promoting the open and timely exchange of scholarly knowledge independent of personal interests and are required to avoid conflicts of interest. Where potential or actual conflicts exist, faculty and staff are expected to consult with appropriate University officers and abide by University policy. This policy represents a restatement of existing University policy and pertinent state and federal law and regulations.

References to Best Practices & Other Supplemental Material:

NIH/NSF Conflict of Interest - Research Conflict of Interest

National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) YouTube training video
This two-minute video provides a clear and concise overview of NIH/NSF Conflict of Interest Guidelines.

The Research Foundation of State University of New York (“RF”) DRAFT Model CAMPUS POLICY ON INSTITUTIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN HUMAN SUBJECTS RESEARCH
This draft model policy was created in 2012 by the RF and is intended for campuses to use as a guide for their own human subjects Conflict of Interest Policies.

Financial Conflict of Interest Resources

Financial Conflict of Interest webpage, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health.
The NIH is committed to preserving the public’s trust that the research supported by us is conducted without bias and with the highest scientific and ethical standards. We believe that strengthening the existing regulations on managing financial conflicts of interest is key to assuring the public that NIH and the institutions we support are taking a rigorous approach to managing the essential relationships between the government, federally-funded research institutions, and the private sector.

• 2011 Regulation Revision 'FAQ' (Frequently Asked Questions)
  • FROM THE SITE: "The objectivity of research is of paramount importance and the basis for obtaining and maintaining public trust.  To address the increasing complexities of the financial interests held by biomedical and behavioral researchers and the resulting interactions among Government, research Institutions, and the private sector, the Public Health Service (PHS) and the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published revised regulations .... [that] establish new standards and clarify previously established standards to be followed by Institutions that apply for or receive research funding from PHS Awarding Components, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for grants, cooperative agreements, and research contracts."
  • "The 2011 revised regulations were written to increase accountability, add transparency, enhance regulatory compliance and effective Institutional management of Investigators’ financial conflicts of interest, and strengthen NIH’s compliance oversight.  The primary goal is to promote objectivity by establishing standards that provide a reasonable expectation that the design, conduct, and reporting of research funded under PHS grants, cooperative agreements and contracts will be free from bias resulting from Investigator financial conflicts of interest."

The information contained on the SUNY Compliance website is for general campus guidance only and is not intended, nor can be relied upon, as legal advice or the imposition on SUNY campuses of specific policies or requirements.  The site is intended to be an informational-only clearinghouse for some of the laws, rules, and regulations that may impact the State University of New York’s campuses.  Additionally, given the rapid, changing nature of laws, rules and regulations, there may be delays or omissions contained on this site which therefore cannot be relied upon as complete.    For complete compliance information, consult your campus compliance officials or the SUNY Compliance Administrator.  For legal advice, consult your lawyer.