Conflict of Interest

An important component of the Research Integrity Program at UMB is the management of financial conflicts of interest in research. The office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs oversees the management process for such conflicts.

The UMB procedures, which fulfill the requirements of the University System of Maryland (USM) Policy, specify what financial conflicts of interest are and how they are managed at UMB.

Questions concerning the policy and procedures and their application may be directed to the Research Integrity Office:
Alison Watkins (410-706-1266)
Joe Giffels (410-706-1853)

Also check out the answers to Frequently Asked Questions for further informaton.

AUGUST 25, 2011 - NIH ISSUES FINAL RULE ON OBJECTIVITY IN SCIENCE

The U S Department of Health and Human Services issued its final rule on conflicts of interest in research (Objectivity in Science) covering research funded by the Public Health Service, including the NIH.  Institutions such as the University of Maryland are required to comply with the final rule no later than August 24, 2012.  Information concerning the University's plans to transition from its current policy to one that fully complies with the final rule will be forthcoming to the research community.  Click here to link to the Federal Register notice of the final rule.

JULY 1, 2011 - UMB INSTITUTIONAL COI POLICY

A new policy, "University of Maryland Policy on Identifying and Addressing Institutional Conflicts of Interest to Preserve Integrity of Research and Other Academic Activity," has been developed and is in effect.  This policy is intended to address real and perceived conflicts of interest resulting from the financial interests of the University as an institution or of its senior leadership.  By implementing a plan to manage potential bias in the research or other academic activity caused by the financial interest, the integrity of the activity will be preserved and enhanced.

Please contact this office with questions regarding the policy and its implementation.