The Research Conflict of Interest Program (RCOI) reviews and manages Significant Financial Interests that have the potential to bias research. The program ensures UF’s compliance with sponsor COI regulations. UF Policy on Research Conflicts of Interest sets forth the processes to identify and manage research Financial Conflicts of Interest.
When submitting IRB applications, investigators must disclose personal and financial interests as required by the reviewing IRB. RCOI reviews disclosed conflicts and communicates required management controls to the reviewing IRB.
Investigators must disclose when required by the UF Policy on Research Conflicts of Interest. UF Investigators, regardless of research funding sources, must disclose new SFIs related to their Institutional Responsibilities within 30 days of acquisition or discovery and complete UF’s annual disclosure process. Certain sponsors (PHS and NSF) require disclosure of SFIs prior to proposal submission.
An SFI includes a financial interest consisting of one or more of the following interests of an Investigator (and those of the Investigator’s Immediate Family Members) related to their Institutional Responsibilities, when combined for the 12 months preceding the disclosure date, from a single Entity:
Nature of SFI | Disclosure Threshold |
Remuneration, compensation, and/or other payments for services (e.g. consulting, speaking) when combined with any equity interest in a publicly traded entity. | Exceeds $5,000 |
Remuneration, compensation, and/or other payments for services (e.g., consulting, speaking) from a non-publicly traded entity. | Exceeds $5,000 |
Equity interests in a non-publicly traded company (e.g. start-up company). Equity includes stock, stock options, or other ownership interest. | 0 / Any Value |
Intellectual property rights and interests | Exceeds $5,000 |
Sponsored or reimbursed travel* | Exceeds $5,000 |
*Disclosure of sponsored or reimbursed travel applies to PHS-funded researchers only
SFI Does Not Include:
Pursuant to the PHS regulation for Promoting Objectivity in Research, UF will provide a written response to any requestor within five business days of a request, of information concerning any significant financial interest disclosed to the Institution that meets the following three criteria:
Pursuant to the PHS regulation, COI-R will provide: the Investigator’s name; the Investigator’s title and role with respect to the research project; the name of the entity in which the significant financial interest is held; the nature of the significant financial interest; and the approximate dollar value of the significant financial interest, or a statement that the interest is one whose value cannot be readily determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures of fair market value. COI-R will note in its written response that the information provided is current as of the date of the correspondence and is subject to updates.
To submit a request, please email: coi@research.ufl.edu.
If email is not available, please send a written letter of request to the following office address:
Research Conflict of Interest
Research Integrity
University of Florida
Grinter Hall
PO Box 115500
Gainesville, FL 32611-5500
Call UF Research Integrity, Security and Compliance: 352-392-9174 or email us at coi@research.ufl.edu.