Background of UO's FCOI Policy

The University of Oregon's Financial Conflict of Interest in Research Policy reflects the institution's commitment to promoting objectivity in research. The FCOI Policy is based on the Public Health Services (PHS) federal regulations and Oregon State law.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the division under PHS that oversees FCOI regulations, and other agencies have additional requirements for disclosure, such as the National Science Foundation's requirement that faculty disclose outside funding from non-publicly traded entities.

The FCOI Policy requires those responsible for the design, conduct, and reporting of sponsored research to disclose all Significant Financial Interests (SFIs) related to their UO job duties prior to submitting a proposal for funding. Investigators must report both SFIs for themselves and for their spouse and dependent children.

Our staff review investigators' submitted disclosures to determine whether there is an actual or perceived financial conflict of interest that could affect the design, conduct, or reporting of the sponsored research. If needed, we work with the Conflict of Interest in Research Committee to develop a management plan to mitigate or eliminate the conflict's affect on the research.

What Activities Must Be Disclosed