Conflict of Interest
What is a Conflict of Interest?
In research, a conflict of interest exists when a researcher's external interests (financial or otherwise) have the potential to affect – or appear to affect – the design, conduct, or reporting of research. These conflicts can arise from relationships with industry, personal financial investments, or fiduciary responsibilities to other organizations.
Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI)
A Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) occurs when a researcher's financial interests could directly and significantly affect the outcomes of the research. Examples include:
- Equity ownership in a company sponsoring the research
- Consulting fees or honoraria from entities with a financial stake in the research
- Intellectual property rights (e.g., patents, royalties)
- Paid speaking engagements or travel funded by interested third parties
Why Disclosing Matters
Disclosing potential conflicts of interest is essential to:
- Preserve public trust in research outcomes
- Uphold the integrity of the scientific process
- Comply with federal regulations
- Protect researchers and the institution from reputational and legal risks
Disclosure does not imply wrongdoing. It provides a mechanism for transparency and allows for appropriate oversight and management.
Who Must Disclose
Tennessee Tech’s Policy No. 735 – Financial Conflicts in Research applies to all University personnel, including, but not limited to, administrators, faculty, staff, post-doctoral fellows, student employees, interns, or residents, whose institutional responsibilities include the design, conduct, or reporting of Research, funded, or proposed for funding.
What Must Be Disclosed
Researchers must disclose any outside activity or situation that could cause a potential, real, or perceived conflict of interest.
Tennessee Tech’s policies on Conflict of Interest as well as Financial Conflict of Interest in Research are provided under the Resources section below. Researchers are expected to familiarize themselves with these policies.
How to Disclose
Please use this form to disclose a potential or actual conflict of interest in research.
How Conflicts Are Managed
When a potential or actual conflict is identified, the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance works with the researcher and relevant oversight committees to develop a Conflict Management Plan. This may include:
- Public disclosure of financial interests (e.g., in publications or presentations)
- Independent monitoring of the research
- Modification of the research plan
- Divestiture of the conflicting interest
- Recusal from participation in affected research activities
Compliance and Enforcement
Failure to disclose or manage financial conflicts of interest may result in:
- Suspension of research activities
- Return of research funds
- Institutional sanctions
- Reporting to federal sponsors as required by law
Tennessee Tech takes these responsibilities seriously to maintain the highest standards of research integrity.
Contact Us
For questions or guidance related to conflicts of interest in research, please contact the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance at ResearchCompliance@tntech.edu.
Resources
Policy No. 735 – Financial Conflicts in Research
Policy No. 132 – Conflict of Interest
NIH Conflict of Interest Training Module