How to Determine if Your Project or Technology Transfer Activity Needs COI Committe Review and Approval.
You are probably in a situation requiring review if you have a significant financial or management interest in an entity related to sponsored research or entering into a technology transfer agreement with the University of Michigan.
More specifically, you are probably in a conflict situation if you can answer yes to one of the following questions:
- Do you or any of the key investigators own stock or have other ownership interests in an entity related to sponsored research or entering into a technology transfer agreement with a value of more than $10,000 or more than 1% of its equity? (Do not include holdings in mutual funds or TIAA-CREF)
- Do your family members (includes spouse, domestic partner and dependents) or those of any of the key investigators own combined stock or other ownership interests in an entity related to sponsored research or entering into a technology transfer agreement with a value of more than $10,000 or more than 5% of its equity? (Do not include holdings in mutual funds or TIAA-CREF)
- During the next 12 months, will you or a key investigator, or a family member of yours or a key investigator, receive salary, consulting fees, royalties or other payments from an entity related to sponsored research or entering into a technology transfer agreement totaling more than $10,000?
- Do you or a key investigator, or a family member of yours or a key investigator, hold a position in management or employment with an entity related to sponsored research, or a technology transfer agreement? These positions include Member of Board of Directors, Trustee, Member of Scientific Advisory Board, Officer of the company, employee.
In general, a conflict of interest related to research or technology transfer may exist when you (or a key investigator working on a project with you) have a financial interst in another entity that is related to your sponsored research or technology transfer activities or which might derive financial benefits from the outcomes of your research.
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What does "related" mean in the context of sponsored research or technology transfer agreements?
An entity "related" to the sponsored research includes:- A supplier of equipment, materials, or services related to the research;
- A business commercializing a product that the research is intended to evaluate or further develop; or
- A party whose financial interests would seem to be directly and significantly affected by the research.
- Salary or other payments for services (e.g., consulting fees or honoraria);
- Equity interests (e.g., stocks, stock options, or other ownership interests); and
- Intellectual property rights (e.g., patents, copyrights, and royalties from such rights).
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