About 

The University is committed to conducting the highest quality research. This commitment requires an unwavering commitment to research objectivity. Per University Policy, investigators and key personnel participating in extramurally funded research must disclose certain “Significant Financial Interests” prior to submission of a proposal.  Institutional Officials assigned to relevant schools review any such disclosures, prior to the expenditure of funds, to determine whether these disclosed interests create a financial conflict of interest. A financial conflict of interest arises when an investigator has a Significant Financial Interest that could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct or reporting of research.    Cases involving a financial conflict of Interest are reviewed by the Financial Conflict of Interest Committee, which recommends to the Office of the Vice President of Research how the conflict should be managed, reduced or eliminated.

Am I considered an investigator?

A COI investigator is any individual, regardless of title, role or position, who is responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of research on a proposal to a relevant federal agency/under a relevant solicitation.

Financial Conflicts of Interest

If a researcher or a member of their immediate family have a financial interest that may bias or appear to bias his research, they could have a research-related financial conflict of interest. Virginia law, federal research rules, and University policy define and regulate these conflicts.

The Financial COI form (Disclosure Profile) must be filled out in RUVA every 12 months, and updated within thirty days of discovering or acquiring a new Significant Financial Interest, external appointment, or research-related activity.

Human Subjects Research

The University’s Institutional Review Board for Health Sciences Research requires disclosure of financial interests as part of the protocol review process. These disclosures encompass financial interests that are broader than those disclosed by investigators engaged in extramurally funded research.  If the IRB determines that a disclosed interest raises potential conflict of interest concerns, the matter will be referred to the OVPR for resolution.