Procedures for reporting and managing conflicts of interest, time and effort

Approval for consulting and other outside employment
The consulting approval process (External Activity Request) is separate from disclosure of time commitments through the KU Conflict of Interest reporting system. Campus procedures for obtaining administrative approval for consulting and outside employment through the department and Office of the Provost should be followed prior to engaging in professional external activities, except for Single Occasion Activities. 

• Single Occasion Activities (pursuant to consulting policy)
  Single Occasion Activities are those activities that occur within a single 24‐hour period; that are clearly of a scholarly, professional or technical nature, rather than commercial; and for which compensation is not the primary consideration. A single occasion might be, for example, a single visit, telephone conversation, manuscript for review, or written response to a request for assistance.

Certification (of significant financial interests and time commitments)
In the online conflict of interest reporting system (myDisclosure), an individual’s report to the university of Significant Financial Interests (SFI) and time commitments is called a disclosure profile update. The system-created records for review made during the disclosure profile update are referred to as certifications or disclosure certifications. There are three types of certifications in the online reporting system: 

1. Annual certification: Initiated by the university upon employment and annually.
2. Research initiated certification: Initiated by a research administrator for investigators on PHS, Department of Energy, or National Nuclear Security Administration‐compliant funding proposals.
3. Research portfolio reviews: Initiated by the individual to disclose a new financial interest or a change in a previously disclosed interest.

Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC)
The COIC is a representative advisory committee of the university that advises the institutional official on conflict of interest matters. Lawrence campus disclosures of SFI are reviewed by the COIC, which makes recommendations to the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Provost about the management of conflict situations.

For the Lawrence campuses, the COIC will consist, at a minimum, of 5 faculty and unclassified staff members, a non‐KU affiliate member, and ex officio non‐voting members from the offices of the Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Research, and the Human Research Protection Program. Voting members are appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Research and serve rotating 3‐year terms. The Conflict of Interest Committee is not a policy-making body but can make policy recommendations.

Covered persons

• All university faculty and other unclassified academic and professional staff are subject to university and Regents policies on financial conflicts of interest and conflicts of time commitment.
• Investigators are subject to federal regulations regarding financial conflict of interest and financial aspects of the university and Regents policies. An investigator is defined as the project director or principal investigator or any other person, regardless of title or position, who is responsible for the design, conduct or reporting of research conducted under the auspices of the university. Investigators may include, for example, university support staff, students and, on PHS‐compliant projects, collaborators or consultants not employed by the university. 

Covered person's family
For all covered persons, an individual’s financial interests include those of family as defined below, with the exception of sponsored travel disclosures:

• For KU Lawrence campuses: Family means any member of the individual's immediate family (spouse and dependent children), personal household or associate entities (e.g., corporations, partnerships or trusts). Lawrence campus‐based investigators who conduct work at or with colleagues at KUMC will disclose according to the criteria adopted by KUMC to satisfy program accreditation requirements for clinical human subjects research.
• For KUMC campuses: Family includes the individual’s immediate family as above plus extended family; parents, siblings, adult children and equivalents by marriage (in-laws.)

Financial interest
A financial interest is anything of monetary value received or held by an individual or their family, whether or not the value is readily ascertainable, including, but not limited to:

• Remuneration: Salary or other payments for services such as consulting fees, honoraria or paid authorships for other than scholarly works.
• Equity or other legal interest: Stock, stock options or other ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, proprietorship, trust, joint venture or other business interest, including land used for income, owned within the preceding 12 months, or in the process of acquisition.
• Intellectual property rights and interests (e.g., patents, trademarks, service marks and copyrights).
• Sponsored or reimbursed travel undertaken by the individual and related to institutional responsibilities, except for exclusions below.   
  
  Financial interest does not include:
• Salary, royalties or other remuneration from the university, including funds and holdings acquired through the Regents retirement programs.
• Travel reimbursed or sponsored by U.S. federal, state or local governmental agencies, U.S. institutions of higher education, research institutes affiliated with institutions of higher education, academic teaching hospitals, and medical centers.
   
• Significant financial interest (SFI)
  An SFI is a financial interest held by an individual (including family) in any entity that reasonably appears to be related to the individual's university responsibilities and meets one or more of  the disclosure criteria on the applicable campus reporting form.
   
• Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) An FCOI is an SFI that, the University reasonably determines, could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct or reporting of University research or could directly and significantly influence the fulfillment of the individual's University responsibilities, or is in an entity whose financial interest could be affected by the research.

Institutional official (IO)
The institutional official is the individual within the institution who is responsible for the solicitation and review of disclosures of significant financial interests related to university responsibilities. For Lawrence campuses, the institutional official is designated as the Vice Chancellor for Research. The Director of Research Integrity oversees administrative processes related to conflict of interest disclosure, reporting and management — and facilitates the work of the Conflict of Interest Committee

PHS-compliant
For the purposes of these procedures, PHS compliant describes funding agencies that have adopted or sponsor projects — proposed or funded — that are bound by the PHS regulations on Promoting Objectivity in Research, 42 CFR 50 subpart F and 45 CFR 94.

Department of Energy (DOE)-compliant or National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)-compliant research 
For the purposes of these procedures, DOE-compliant or NNSA-compliant describe sponsor projects — proposed or funded — that are bound by the Department of Energy Interim Conflict of Interest Policy Requirements for Financial Assistance, 2 CFR part 910, Department of Energy (DOE) Financial Assistance Regulations, or 2 CFR part 200, e.g., 200.112, 200.318. 

University responsibilities
An individual’s responsibilities on behalf of the university, which may include (but are not limited to) activities such as teaching, research, research consultation, administration, professional practice, institutional committee memberships and service on panels such as the Institutional Review Board or Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC).

Who is required to file?

1. Covered persons as defined above: Faculty, other unclassified staff, and other investigators
    
2. Non‐KU investigators on proposed or funded PHS, DOE, or NNSA‐compliant sponsored projects
    

• For subrecipient investigators from a PHS, DOE or NNSA‐compliant organization, the investigator's home organization will be asked to certify that a PHS, DOE or NNSA‐compliant policy is in place and to report to KU any financial conflicts of interest with the current project.
   
• For consultants or collaborators not employed by a PHS, DOE or NNSA‐compliant organization, individuals must complete a certification through the KU online system. In case there is not sufficient time to accomplish this before the proposal is submitted, Research Integrity will provide an equivalent electronic form. Prior to engaging in the project, the individual must have taken the training and have the initial certification reviewed and any identified conflicts managed.

Individual responsibilities

1. Policy awareness
   Upon initial appointment, the university will inform faculty and unclassified staff of the obligation to disclose certain SFI and time commitments per university and Regents policies and federal regulations, which are posted in the KU Policy Library. It is the individual's responsibility to read and understand the policies. Links to these policies and related federal regulations are available on the KU Research website. For the Lawrence campuses, any questions regarding the policies should be directed to Research Integrity (coi@ku.edu; 785‐864‐7429).
    
2. Filing timely, complete and accurate reports
   Reporting requirements vary depending on whether an individual is employed as a faculty or unclassified staff member or is filing for the purpose of participating on a sponsored research project. Consequences for not filing timely, complete or accurate disclosures are discussed below. Enforcement.
    
3. Compliance with approved conflict management plans
   Conflict management plans will specify conditions to ensure appropriate transparency and adequate separation between university responsibilities and the outside interest. In some cases, the plan will identify a monitor and set due dates for reports to the institutional official. When an individual accepts a management plan, they agree to abide by its terms. Failure to adhere to an accepted management plan may trigger disciplinary action as described in the Enforcement section below.
    
4. FCOI training for investigators on PHS, DOE, or NNSA‐compliant sponsored projects 
   Each investigator on a project funded by a PHS, DOE or NNSA‐compliant sponsor must complete FCOI training on the university policy and key elements of the federal regulation prior to engaging in research on the project, and subsequently at least every 4 years. For new or renewing awards, all investigators must be up to date with FCOI training before award funds will be made available. Likewise, any investigator new to an ongoing project must complete the training before engaging in the project.
   
   The KU training module is an online presentation with questions that typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Investigators will receive an email link to the training homepage. A KU online id is required to log in for the training.
   
   Training is also required within a reasonable period of time (as determined by the institutional official) in the event that the university policy or procedures are revised in any manner that affects the requirements of investigators, or if it is determined that the investigator has not complied with this policy or with a management plan related to their activities.

What to disclose

Regardless of the disclosure requirements, the individual, in their own best interest, is encouraged to disclose any other financial or related interest that could present an actual conflict of interest or be perceived to be a conflict of interest.

It may be helpful to have the following types of documents on hand for reference when completing the online forms: 

• Stock option agreements
• Stock portfolio summary
• Consulting agreements
• Travel reimbursement receipts by external entities
• Federal income tax form 1040 and/or 1099 forms

Significant financial interests (SFI)
Disclosure of SFI applies to all faculty and unclassified staff and any individual who is an investigator on a PHS‐compliant sponsored project. An individual's financial interests include those of the individual and their family (see Definitions section above).

1. KU Lawrence campuses disclosure criteria
   Individuals are required to disclose financial interests held by the individual or immediate family in any entity that reasonably appears to be related to the individual's university responsibilities, and meets one or more of the following criteria:
    

• A financial interest worth $5,000 or more in any entity, where the value is the aggregate of any remuneration received from the entity in the 12 months preceding the disclosure plus any equity interest in the entity as of the date of disclosure or, if the equity interest was liquidated or ownership transferred in the previous 12 months, value of the equity as of the date of liquidation or transfer.
   
• Any equity interest in a non‐publicly traded entity as of the date of disclosure or, if the equity interest was liquidated or ownership transferred in the previous 12 months, value of the equity as of the date of liquidation or transfer, regardless of whether the value can be determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures off air market value.
   
• Intellectual property rights and interests (patents, copyrights) upon receipt of income related to such rights and interests.
   
• Sponsored or reimbursed travel in the past 12 months from any external entity that is reasonably related to your university responsibilities. Sponsored travel is disclosed for the individual only; it does not apply to family members. In addition, it is not necessary to report travel that is reimbursed or sponsored by:
   
• A federal, state, or local government agency.
• An institution of higher education as defined in 20U.S.C. 1001(a).
• An academic teaching hospital, a medical center or a research institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education.
   
• It is not necessary to disclose salary, royalties or other remuneration from the university, including funds and holdings acquired through the Regents retirement programs.

Engagement in foreign talent programs                                                                                       
This includes any activities organized, managed or funded by a foreign government, or a foreign government instrumentality or entity, to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, or whether having a full-time or part-time position). 

Some foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs operate with the intent to import or otherwise acquire from abroad — sometimes through illicit means — proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property to further the military modernization goals and/or economic goals of a foreign government. Many, but not all, programs aim to incentivize the targeted individual to relocate physically to the foreign state for the above purpose. Some programs allow for or encourage continued employment at United States research facilities or receipt of federal research funds while concurrently working at and/or receiving compensation from a foreign institution, and some direct participants not to disclose their participation to United States entities. Compensation could take many forms, including cash, research funding, complimentary foreign travel, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, promised future compensation, or other types of remuneration or consideration, including in-kind compensation.

Other support not otherwise identified through grants managed by Sponsored Programs Administration in the KU Office of Research
This includes, but is not limited to Principal Investigators of Investigator Initiated Trials funded by industry and external professional activities which would meet the definition of reportable time commitment such as appointments from other institutions, and in kind contributions including non-KU office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, personnel (employees, students, visiting scholars, volunteers or trainees) supported by external entities or governments (foreign or domestic), and high-value or unique gifts or donations.

Time commitments in external professional activities

1. Applicability
   Disclosure of time commitments applies to faculty and unclassified staff only; it does not apply to family members or investigators who are not faculty or unclassified staff.
   
   The Board of Regents and university policies indicate that external activities of faculty and staff — such as consulting, outside employment, public service, pro bono work or serving as an officer of an external entity, even without compensation — can result in real or apparent conflicts regarding commitment of time or effort.
   
   The policy states that faculty members and unclassified staff of Regents institutions owe their primary professional responsibility to their employing institutions, and their primary commitment of time and intellectual effort should be to the education, service, research and scholarship missions of those institutions. Faculty and unclassified staff should maintain a presence on campus commensurate with their appointments.
    
2. Approval for consulting and outside employment
   Campus procedures for obtaining administrative approval through the department and Office of the Provost should be followed prior to engaging in professional external activities. The consulting approval process is separate from disclosure of financial interests and time commitments required for the purpose of these procedures.
    
3. Time commitment disclosure criteria
   Faculty and unclassified staff should disclose any entity with which they engage in personal professional activities that take time away from their university responsibilities, whether or not compensated, except for single occasion activities.

When to disclose 

First certification

1. On employment: All faculty and unclassified staff must complete an initial disclosure profile update of SFI and external professional time commitments upon employment. 
    
2. Prior to proposal submission: In the case of investigators who are not faculty or unclassified staff, the disclosure profile update must be filed prior to submission of a research proposal. Time commitment reporting is not required for these individuals.

Annual certification
All covered persons must review and provide updates, if any, to previously disclosed interests within 30 days of receiving notice to file an annual certification, or prior to proposal submission if this occurs in the meantime.

Notifications to file the annual disclosure profile update are sent by email early each fall semester.

Update due to an acquisition of a new SFI

1. All covered persons are responsible for completing a disclosure profile update within 30 days of acquisition of a new SFI (e.g., through marriage, inheritance, purchase, or employment) that is related to university responsibilities. Update certifications are initiated by the individual through the online reporting system.
    
2. Reimbursed or sponsored travel is reported via the disclosure profile update no later than 30 days after the travel.

Research-initiated certification (prior to submission of a PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant funding proposal)
To document compliance with PHS, DOE or NNSA regulations, all investigators on a PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant project are required to certify that their disclosures to the university are complete, accurate and up to date. A disclosure profile update notification will be emailed to all investigators on the PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant project. Each investigator must complete their disclosure profile update through the online system prior to proposal submission. In most cases, investigators will be able to certify that their disclosures are up to date in just a few clicks. It is also possible to disclose additional interests or to provide updates to existing disclosures through this process. For certain non-KU investigators without a KU online ID, an equivalent form will be provided by Research Integrity.

Any new investigator who is added to a PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant project after proposal submission or during the course of the project must similarly disclose their SFI prior to participation in the project.

Prior to submission of funding proposals not subject to PHS/DOE/NNSA compliance
Prior to submission of any sponsored project proposal, the principal investigator and all other investigators on the project must have disclosed an up‐to‐date listing of their significant financial interests (SFI) on a current annual or research-initiated certification.

1. For faculty and unclassified staff, research administrators will verify that a current certification is on file for each investigator. During the period of award, each investigator is responsible for initiating a disclosure profile update to disclose a new SFI within 30 days of its discovery or acquisition.
    
2. Other investigators: Non-KU researchers on the project who are not faculty or unclassified staff and who are determined by the PI to contribute to the project at the level of an investigator may be asked to file a certification of SFI prior to proposal submission.

The university is responsible for reviewing all disclosures of SFI and external professional time commitments and for determining whether the relationship constitutes a conflict with university responsibilities.

No review required

When a certification contains no disclosures of SFI or time commitment, no supervisor or administrative review is required. The individual’s obligation to report is satisfied until the next annual, or PHS research‐ related certification is due or until the individual’s circumstances change such that an ad hoc update certification is required. Compliance status of faculty and unclassified staff annual certifications will be reported by unit to respective supervisors, chairs, deans, directors and vice provosts.
 

Supervisor review

For annual certifications with SFI or time commitments reported, the immediate supervisor provides the initial review. The supervisor is primarily responsible for assessing the time commitments disclosed and addressing with the individual any issues regarding conflict of time or effort. This would occur outside of the reporting system. The supervisor is also given the opportunity to comment on any disclosures of SFI within the reporting system before electronically signing the form and advancing it to administrative review. 

1. In cases of dual appointments where there is reporting responsibility to more than one unit (this does not include courtesy professorships), individuals should add review by their second supervisors in the online system. If the certification requires supervisor review, it will be routed to the supervisors sequentially.
    
2. For investigators who are not KU faculty or unclassified staff, such as students, adjunct faculty or non‐KU collaborators, the supervisor is the PI of the sponsored project. The individual must enter the supervisor in the online system.
    
3. Research-initiated certifications for PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant projects that require review will be routed directly to administrative review without review by the supervisor to ensure timely processing.
    

Administrative review 

1. Research Integrity initial review
   A Research Integrity compliance coordinator (COI staff) will make an initial review and assessment of disclosures. COI staff may request clarification or additional information from the discloser to facilitate the initial assessment. In limited circumstances, when it is clear that a disclosed relationship does not require management, the disclosure review, determination and response will be handled administratively in consultation with the COIC chair and reported to the COIC and Institutional Official.
    
2. Conflict of Interest Committee review
   Disclosure certifications that cannot be dispensed administratively will be reviewed by the COIC to determine whether a conflict exists and, if so, the appropriate conditions to manage it.
    
3. Research certifications
   Research certifications for PHS-, DOE- or NNSA‐compliant projects that contain disclosures of SFI are reviewed by Research Integrity and, if necessary, the COIC. An investigator’s SFI disclosures will be compared to the PHS-, DOE- or NNSA‐compliant project to determine if an SFI is related to the project and, if so, whether the SFI creates a financial conflict of interest (FCOI) related to that project. FCOIs must be identified, managed and reported to the funding agency prior to expenditure of award funds.

A financial conflict of interest (FCOI) will exist when the institutional official or designee determines that an SFI could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct or reporting of research or influence the fulfillment of other university responsibilities. If an FCOI exists, the institutional official — through Research Integrity, the COIC and department — will take action to eliminate, reduce or manage the conflict, as appropriate.
 

Guidelines for determining conflict of interest

The Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC) or designated official will determine whether an investigator's SFI is related to their university responsibilities and, if so, will determine whether the SFI is an FCOI. An investigator's SFI is related to the research when the COIC or designated official reasonably determines that the SFI could directly and significantly be affected by the research conducted on the sponsored project or is in an entity whose financial interest could be affected by the research.

In making determinations of FCOI, the COIC or designated official will be guided by the principles discussed in university policy and these procedures, and may be informed by the deliberations of the relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB) or other administrative bodies, as appropriate. Factors considered by the COIC or designated official include:

• The role of the investigator and the opportunity (if any) to bias the research results or fulfillment of other university responsibilities, such advising students or dispensation of resources.
• The nature of the research being proposed.
• The value of the SFI in relation to the size and value of the entity. The COIC or designated official may involve the investigator in the determination of whether an SFI is related to the research.
   

Factors considered in determining whether an SFI is an FCOI 

Factors taken into consideration in the determination of an FCOI include, but are not limited to:

1. Nature of the research
   • Whether the research is of a basic or fundamental nature directed at understanding basic scientific processes.
   • Whether other scientists are independently pursuing similar questions.
   • Whether the degree of replication and verification of research results is such that immediate commercialization or clinical application is not likely.
   • Whether sufficient external review of the research conducted and the reporting of research results exists to mitigate undue bias.
   • Whether the goal of the research is to evaluate an invention licensed to the SFI (such as where the SFI is a patent or an interest in a company that has licensed the invention).
   • Whether the goal of the research is to validate or invalidate a particular approach or methodology that could affect the value of the SFI.
   • Whether the aim of the project is a comparative evaluation of a technology in which an investigator has an SFI.
      
2. Where the research involves human subjects:
   • The level of risk to the subjects.
   • Whether there are double-blind conditions or the involvement of a data and safety monitoring board.
      
3. Where the SFI is in a privately held company:
   • Whether research SFI could result in the researcher having influence over company decisions.
   • Whether the research could have a significant impact on the company business or financial outlook.
      
4. The depth of the relationship
   • The magnitude of the SFl (e.g., the amount of consulting or the percentage or value of equity).
   • The number and nature of relationships the individual has with an entity. Multiple entanglements can create a relationship with an outside entity that is stronger than the sum of the parts.
      
5. Whether the project involves a sub award to or other business relationship with an entity in which the investigator has an SFI.
    
6. Whether the situation involves the direction or employment of students who will perform work that will benefit an entity in which the individual has an SFI.
    
7. Whether the situation involves university resources that could be of value to the entity in which the investigator has an SFI.

FCOI management

If the institutional official or designee determines that an FCOI can be managed, a written and approved management plan must be in place before any related research or other activity monitored by the plan goes forward. The conditions set forth in the management plan depend on the nature and complexity of the relationships between the individual and the entity and the individual's university responsibilities.

Key considerations in management plans
If a conflict of interest exists, the COIC or designated official will determine by what means the conflict should be avoided or managed to mitigate undue bias. Examples of means to manage FCOI include the individual's recusal from decisions affecting the conflicting entity, abstention from the external activity, modification of the activity, and/or monitoring of the activity by a subcommittee. The COIC or designated official will also take into consideration whether the Investigator's ongoing role is necessary to continue advancing the research, based upon factors such as the uniqueness of their expertise and qualifications.

Management plan strategies
Examples of conditions that might be imposed to manage a financial conflict of interest include, but are not limited to:

1. Disclosure
   • Public disclosure of FCOI (e.g., when presenting or publishing the research).
   • Written disclosure of the conflict to all individuals working on the research project.
      
2. For research projects involving human subjects:
   • Disclosure of FCOI directly to human participants.
   • Use of a data and safety monitoring board.
   • Use of double‐blind conditions.
   • Provisions to conduct the work simultaneously at multiple sites.
      
3. Modification of the research plan
   • Change of personnel or personnel responsibilities.
   • Disqualification of personnel from participation in all or a portion of the research.
   • Outsourcing a portion of the research.
      
4. Modification of the individual's relationship to the entity
   • Reduction or elimination of the financial interest (e.g. sale of an equity Interest).
   • Severance of relationships that create financial conflicts.
      
5. For situations involving direction of students
   • Disclosure of relationship to students.
   • Following university policy on Employment of Students in Faculty-owned Business.
      
6. For situations involving use of university resources
   • Refraining from engaging in business transactions that involve the entity and the university.
   • Oversight of financial aspects of a sponsored project.
      
7. Monitoring compliance
   • Appointment of an independent monitor capable of taking measures to protect the design, conduct, and reporting of the research against bias resulting from the financial conflict of Interest.
   • Periodic reports on the research progress and compliance with the plan to the COIC or designated official.

Management plan development
Research Integrity will facilitate the development of a management plan in consultation with the individual, supervisor and COIC. On Lawrence campuses, the management plan is recommended for approval by the COIC to the institutional official, the Vice Chancellor for Research. A plan must be accepted by the individual and plan monitor, if any, before final approval by the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Executive Vice Chancellor.

To address complex situations, a management plan monitor or committee may be established by the institutional official to periodically review the ongoing activity, to monitor the conduct of the activity (including use of students and postdoctoral appointees), to ensure open and timely dissemination of the research results, and to otherwise oversee compliance with the management plan. Periodic reports to the institutional official, through the COIC, will be specified in the management plan.
 
Implementation and record‐keeping
The COIC or designated official will keep a record of decisions regarding the disposition of certifications that contain SFI and of the relevant information for at least 3 years. For investigators on PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant projects, records will be kept 3 years from the date the final expenditures report is submitted and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the subaward and relevant PHS regulations. If the COIC or designated official prescribes monitoring of the activity, it will describe what monitoring shall be performed and what records are to be kept.

No expenditure on a project supported by a PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant sponsor will be permitted until the investigator has complied with the applicable disclosure requirements and has agreed, in writing, to comply with an accepted and approved plan to manage the FCOI. The COIC or designated official will notify the agency of the existence and nature of an FCOI and other details as required by federal regulations, including periodic updates on the status of the FCOI during the award.

Online reporting system

All reporting and review of disclosed financial interests and time commitments are conducted through a web-based interface. The reporting system guides individuals through the applicable disclosure criteria and collects information about each entity with which an individual has professional time commitments and/or financial interests that meet the disclosure criteria. The various aspects of the relationship with the disclosed entity (for example, one may receive salary from, hold an equity interest in, and have a professional time commitment with a single entity) will be recorded at the time of disclosure and may be updated whenever necessary. An individual's list of disclosed entities will be saved as a continuing part of their reporting record to facilitate annual, research and update certifications.
 

Workflow and documentation

The online system supports an electronic workflow to route certifications for review, record review determinations and correspondence, develop and approve management plans, and log periodic reports from the management plan monitor.

Public accessibility of FCOI on PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant projects

Prior to the expenditure of any funds under a PHS, DOE or NNSA prime or subaward, the university will ensure public accessibility — by written response, to any requestor, within 5 business days of request — of information concerning any SFI disclosed that meets the following three criteria:

1. The SFI was disclosed and is still held by the senior/key personnel. Senior/key personnel are the PD/PI and any other person identified as senior key personnel by the university in the subaward application to the PHS grantee, progress report or any other report submitted to the PHS grantee.
2. The university has determined that the SFI is related to the research funded through a PHS, DOE or NNSA award or subaward.
3. The university has determined that the SFI is a financial conflict of interest.

The information that the university will make available via written response to any requestor within 5 days of request will include the following:

• The investigator's name, title and role with respect to the research project.
• The name of the entity in which the significant financial interest is held and the nature of the SFI.
• The approximate dollar value of the SFI in the following ranges: $0-$4,999; $5,000-9,999; $10,000-$19,999; amounts between $20,000-$100,000 by increments of $20,000; amounts above $100,000 by increments of $50,000), or a statement that the interest is one whose value cannot be readily determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures of fair market value.

Information made publicly accessible in accordance with the PHS, DOE or NNSA regulation requirements, as described above, will be updated at least annually, and within 60 days of identifying a new or previously undisclosed FCOI of senior/key personnel on the project. This publicly accessible information will remain available for responses to written requests for at least 3 years from the date that the information was most recently updated.
 

Institutional reporting to funding agencies 

1. Prior to expenditures
   Prior to the expenditure of any funds under a PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant award or subaward, the university will provide to the PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant sponsor an FCOI report compliant with PHS, DOE or NNSA regulations regarding any investigator's SFI found to be conflicting, and will ensure that the investigator has agreed to and implemented the corresponding management plan. While the subaward is ongoing (including any extensions), the university will provide to the PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant sponsor an annual FCOI report that addresses the status of the FCOI and any changes in the management plan.
    
2. During a sponsored project
   For any SFI that is identified as conflicting subsequent to an initial FCOI report during an ongoing PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-funded research project (e.g., upon the participation of an investigator who is new to the research project), the university will provide to the PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant sponsor, within 60 days, an FCOI report regarding the financial conflict of interest and ensure that the university has implemented a management plan and the investigator has agreed to the relevant management plan.

Consequences of noncompliance with policy and procedures

Violations of policy and/or procedures will be managed in accordance with applicable university policies and procedures.

Examples of violations
Examples of violations include, but are not limited to, failure to file timely reports; filing incomplete, erroneous or inaccurate reports; or failure to comply with the prescribed conflict of interest procedures for managing or resolving conflicts of interest. Violations relating to a federally funded project shall be managed in accordance with the conflict of interest procedures and the requirements of the applicable awarding authority (i.e., 42 CFR 50 subpart F and 45 CFR 94).

Failure to comply
In the event of an investigator's failure to comply with the university policy and Lawrence campus procedures, the institutional official may suspend all relevant activities until the matter is resolved or take other action they deem appropriate. At a minimum, violations may result in proposals being held from submission or award funds retained until compliance requirements are met. Noncompliance may also be noted in the personnel file. Omitting or misrepresenting information in reports or noncompliance with a management plan may result in more stringent disciplinary action as outlined in the University Senate Code.
 

Procedure for discovery of an undisclosed SFI on a PHS-compliant project

Retrospective review
If the institutional official determines that an FCOI was not identified or managed in a timely manner — including, but not limited to, an investigator's failure to disclose an SFI that is determined to be an FCOI, or failure by an investigator to materially comply with a management plan for an FCOI — a committee appointed by the institutional official will complete a retrospective review of the investigator's activities and the research project to determine whether the research conducted during the period of noncompliance was biased in the design, conduct or reporting of the research.

Documentation of the retrospective review shall include the project number, project title, name of investigator with the FCOI, name of the entity with which the investigator has the FCOI, reason(s) for the retrospective review, detailed methodology used for the retrospective review, and findings and conclusions of the review.

Agency report and mitigation plan
Research Integrity will update any previously submitted report to the PHS-, DOE- or NNSA-compliant sponsor relating to the research, specifying the actions that will be taken to manage the FCOI going forward. If bias is found, the report will include a mitigation report in accordance with the PHS regulations, including a description of the impact of the bias on the research project and the plan of action to eliminate or mitigate the effect of the bias.