A conflict of interest often arises because the University’s mission is to promote public good by fostering the transfer of knowledge gained through university research and scholarship to the private sector. Such a conflict is not inherently bad, but it does require transparency and possible management to maintain the integrity of the research.

Occasionally, situations arise where an investigator may have an outside financial interest that could conflict or be perceived to conflict with his or her research conducted on behalf of the University of Houston. To address these situations and to comply with federal regulations and sponsor requirements, the University has adopted a policy regarding financial conflicts of interest.

The Conflict of Interest Certification in Research entails:

1. Completing an Institutionally recognized Conflict of Interest training course before utilizing research funds and at least once every four years. At the University of Houston this training is provided through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).
2. Disclose all Financial Interests held by investigators and their immediate family members that are reasonably related to any of an investigator’s institutional duties.
3. Certify that you have read, understand, and will comply with the University of Houston Policy on Conflict of Interest in Research

Our COI team is here to assist you:

• Adasia Sublett, COI Coordinator
• Dr. Laura Gutiérrez, Associate Director, RIO

STEPS IN THE COI IN RESEARCH PROCESS

• Step 1: Complete a Certification
• Step 2: FCOI Certification Review
• Step 3: COI Committee and Submission Dates
• Step 4: Management of the FCOI
• Step 5: Changes/Updates to Financial Interests
• Step 6: Travel Disclosures

Please note that this policy is specific to the Division of Research (DOR) Conflict of Interest requirements for investigators and does not replace the disclosures required under SAM 02.A.08 ( Outside Activities /Interests Disclosures) and SAM 02.A.29  (Ethical Conduct of Employees).