Financial Conflict of Interest

A Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI)  in research and sponsored programs occurs when a researcher's or Principal Investigator's (PI's) personal financial interests, such as consulting fees, stock ownership, or other financial benefits, could influence or appear to influence the design, conduct, or reporting of research. Such conflicts may compromise the integrity, objectivity, and credibility of research findings if they are not properly disclosed and managed. To promote transparency and ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor requirements, researchers and PIs are required to complete a FCOI disclosure form annually and update it whenever a significant financial interest changes. Annual disclosure and appropriate conflict management help protect research participants, maintain public trust, and preserve the integrity of sponsored research.