Examples of COIs

The following examples illustrate the range of activities that might constitute a conflict of interest:

  • Accepting gratuities or special favors from companies doing business or sponsoring one's research at the University
  • Accepting over-scale honoraria for lectures at companies whose economic or political interests are affected by an investigator's research
  • Performing evaluative research for a company in which the investigator has a financial interest
  • Accepting a paid consultancy with a company having an interest in your research 
  • Using students to perform services for a company in which you have a financial interest
  • Assigning as the required text for a course a book for which you receive royalties
  • Accepting a research contract with a restrictive publication clause 
  • Providing privileged access to information developed with University or independent sponsorship to another entity in which you have a financial interest
  • Negotiating on behalf of the University for the purchase of materials from a company in which you have a financial interest 
  • Directly influencing the negotiation of contracts, including research contracts or licensing contracts, between the University and a company in which you have a financial interest
  • Accepting gifts from a student whom you must evaluate
  • Providing or receiving financial bonuses for meeting subject recruitment targets or achieving stated results
  • Holding office or membership on a board or committee of an entity supporting your University research
  • Holding equity interests, including stock options, in an entity which supports your University research
  • Receiving royalties or other licensing proceeds from intellectual property you invented and are evaluating or further developing
  • Imposition of restrictions on the actions of students or trainees, including disclosure of research findings, at the request of a sponsor or financially interested company