On August 23, 2012, The University of Texas at Austin’s revised Objectivity in Research Policy, including its Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) policy for researchers, was put in effect. The policy extends to all research conducted at UT-Austin, whether it is funded or unfunded; and if funded, regardless of the project’s funding source. The Office of Research Support (part of the Office of the Vice President for Research) oversees FCOI compliance for the UT-Austin research community.
The policy requires completion of Conflict of Interest training (an online compliance module) at least once every four years by all individuals who are responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of research. These individuals are referred to as Covered Individuals under the FCOI policy and include PIs, Co-PIs, Co-Is, and often postdocs, graduate students or technical staff. It is the responsibility of the PI to determine which personnel working on a given project are Covered Individuals.
Upon completion of Conflict of Interest training, Covered Individuals must complete a web-based Financial Interest Disclosure (FID) form. Covered Individuals are required to disclose their own financial interests and those of other covered family members living their household, including spouses, dependent children or other dependents as defined in the policy. This form must be updated annually, or within 30 days of when changes to a Covered Individual’s financial interests occur.
UT EMPLOYEES - To complete your FCOI training and FID form:
- Instructions for Completing FCOI Training:
https://research.utexas.edu/ors/conflict-of-interest/coi-training/ - Instructions for Submitting a FID Form:
https://research.utexas.edu/ors/conflict-of-interest/financial-interest-disclosure-fid-form/
NON-UT EMPLOYEES - To complete your FCOI training and FID form:
- Instructions for Completing FCOI training and Submitting a FID Form for Non-UT Researchers: https://research.utexas.edu/ors/conflict-of-interest/coi-training/
FAQs about FCOI and FID:
- COI Frequently Asked Questions:
https://research.utexas.edu/ors/conflict-of-interest/coi-faqs/ - Determine who qualifies as a Covered Individual: https://research.utexas.edu/ors/conflict-of-interest/investigators-and-collaborators/
- Other questions about FCOI compliance should be directed to the UT-Austin
Office of Research Support