Financial Conflict Of Interest

Institutions that apply for or receive Public Health Service (PHS) funding must adhere to Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) regulations as promulgated at 42 CR 50 subpart F and took effect August 24, 2012.

Northeastern University’s Policy on Financial Conflict of Interest Related to Research is designed to help Northeastern Faculty members engaged in research comply with the PHS FCOI regulations. All Northeastern University policies are centrally located on the University’s Policy Page.

Faculty members engaged in research will need to adhere to two policies, in addition to the FCOI Policy referenced above, the University also has a broader Conflict of Commitment and Interest Policy. This Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policy focuses on conflicts of interest that may arise when there is a divergence between an individual’s private interests and his or her professional obligations to the University such that an independent observer might reasonably question whether the individual’s professional actions or decisions are determined by considerations of personal gain, financial or otherwise. A conflict of interest depends on the situation, and not on the character or actions of the individual. The Faculty Handbook (specifically, section 5, Faculty Involvement in Outside Entities which Have Relations with Northeastern) contains additional provisions related to Conflict of Commitment and Interest.

A financial conflict of interest (FCOI) as detailed in the PHS regulations and covered in the FCOI Policy, is a financial interest held by an Investigator that could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct, or reporting of research.

Since there are some nuances between the PHS FCOI regulations and Northeastern’s Conflict of Commitment and Interest Policy, PHS funded Investigators, and Investigators funded by agencies and foundations that have elected to follow FCOI guidelines, must adhere to the FCOI Policy.

Use the menu to the left to access resources to support compliance with the University’s FCOI Policy including process documents, guidance and training materials.

For questions regarding the PHS FCOI regulations and the University’s implementation thereof, contact the FCOI team at [email protected].

Last Updated on September 18, 2023