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Patents Corner
Conflict of Interest
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by Becky Mahurin
On Oct. 1, 1995, guidelines for conflict of interest in research sponsored by the Public Health Service and the National
Science Foundation will become effective. Any proposals submitted to these agencies that have a proposal deadline of
Oct. 1 or later will be subject to the new regulations. These guidelines were developed over several years and with
considerable input from the academic sector.
What constitutes a conflict of interest? First, a conflict of interest is situational. It is not a reflection of the character or
actions of principal investigators or others. A conflict of interest may exist when the investigator or his/her immediate
family has a significant financial interest that can directly and significantly affect the design, conduct or reporting of
sponsored projects. A significant financial interest is defined by the PHS and NSF as including salary or payment for
services in excess of $10,000, equity interests greater than 5%, or intellectual property rights in companies or projects that
may significantly impact the research proposed.
PHS and NSF will require that for each grant the recipient institution assure that either no conflict of interest exists or
that, prior to any expenditure of funds, the conflict is adequately eliminated, minimized or managed.
MSU will be implementing a new policy regarding conflict of interest. Principal investigators will now see a new
question on the proposal clearance form addressing this issue. If there is a potential or perceived conflict, it will be
necessary to complete a Financial Disclosure Form, which can be obtained from the Technology Transfer Office in 304 Montana Hall. This form will then be reviewed, and if no conflict is determined to
exist, the grant will be handled as usual upon funding. If a potential conflict is perceived, a management strategy will be
implemented with the PI.
If you have questions, please call me 994-7868.
Becky Mahurin
Director of the Technology Transfer Office at MSU
© 2000 Montana State University-Bozeman
Discovery September 1995
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