A Conflict of Interest (COI) may exist when an investigator has significant financial, ownership or leadership interests in an outside activity which could lead an independent observer to reasonably question whether the design, conduct or reporting of research might be influenced by the possibility of personal gain to the investigator or his/her immediate family.

Individuals subject to the UW-Madison COI policy must report all outside activities that reasonably appear to be related to their institutional responsibilities.

Institutional responsibilities include (but are not limited to) any professional responsibilities on behalf of UW-Madison, including research, research consultation, teaching, professional practice, outreach, administration, and institutional committee memberships.  Individuals should report any activity related to these institutional responsibilities regardless of the type or form (and those of their spouse and/or children) which has monetary value, and/or requires your time or effort.

Please note: travel funded by an outside entity is reportable by individuals on Public Health Service (PHS) funded grants only.

There are several noteworthy outside activities which do NOT need to be reported:

• Compensation from activities NOT related to your institutional responsibilities
• Compensation from UW-Madison affiliated entities (like the UW-Hospital and Clinics and UW Medical Foundation)
• Royalties from WARF
• Compensation from seminars or lectures at U.S. institutions of higher education (note that international institutions ARE reportable)
• Compensation for service on advisory committees, project review panels, or study sections sponsored by federal, state or local governments or U.S. higher ed institutions
• Income from mutual funds or retirement funds (assuming you do not control investment decisions made by these vehicles)
• Leadership in religious or political organizations
• Self-funded travel, or travel reimbursed by UW
• Travel funded by U.S. government agencies or U.S. higher ed institutions

A more detailed list of what is reportable and non-reportable is located here.

Questions?  Contact:
Breeana Hubbard, Ph.D.
Conflict of Interest
College of Letters & Science
breeana.hubbard@wisc.edu