Conflict of Interest

As defined in the University of Delaware's Policies and Procedures Manual, " a potential conflict of interest occurs when there is a divergence between an individual's private interests and his or her professional obligations such that an independent observer might reasonably question whether the individual's professional actions or decisions are influenced by considerations of personal gain, financial or otherwise. A potential conflict of interest depends on the situation, and not on the character or actions of the individual."

Policy

Involvement of faculty or professional staff with appropriate commercial enterprises is an important part of the transfer of knowledge from the University to industry and an important source of feedback from industry to enhance both teaching and research programs. An involvement of faculty or professional staff with commercial enterprises should be such that it benefits the faculty or staff member, the commercial enterprise, and the University. Involvement of faculty or professional staff with a commercial enterprise to a degree or in a manner that diminishes the effectiveness of teaching or research programs is prohibited. Disclosure of all involvements with commercial enterprises that may take time from University responsibilities or may directly or indirectly have an impact on or be perceived to have an impact on the University is required.

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The following examples are provided as guidance in the identification of potential conflicts of interest under the policy. The list does not cover all possible conflicts and is intended to be illustrative only.

Permissible Activities

Acceptance of royalties under University Policy Number 6-6, Inventions, Discoveries and Patents and/or University Policy Number 6-7, Copyrightable Material, or honoraria for commissioned papers or lectures.
Services to outside educational, professional, scientific, artistic, cultural, civic, business or other organizations that enhance the value of the employee to the University and do not adversely affect the employee's primary commitment to the University.

Apparent Conflicts

Any lease, sale, rent, or trade of real property to the University by the employee.
Holding of a substantial financial interest in or participating in the profits of any organization that deals, or seeks to deal, with the University.
Holding an appointment in or serving on the governing board of any organization that deals, or seeks to deal, with the University.

Possible Conflicts

Situations where students are directed into research areas or other activities from which the employee intends to realize personal financial gain. A conflict may arise if students are directed to areas of lesser scientific or scholarly merit to enhance the potential for monetary gain or if the financial potential exists only for the employee.
Situations where the employee is asked to advise or serve an organization doing business in the general area of the employee's University responsibility or which is related to the field.
Situations where an employee is offered a position on a scientific or administrative board of an organization that has research contracts with the employee's unit.
Situations where an employee is offered research support from an organization in which the employee serves as a director, member of an advisory board or as a consultant, or in which the employee holds a significant equity interest.
Situations in which the employee is involved in independent business ventures as owner, operator or major investor, particularly if the entity is doing business with the University.

The conflict of interest form is now available as a UD Web routing form. Please click on the link below, and login using your UD NetID and password. Look for "Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form" under the tab "Blanks".

Click here for Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Form

Click here for NIH Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Tutorial