Public Health Service (PHS) guidelines (42 C.F.R. Part 50.604) promote the objectivity in research and require institutions to assure there are no financial conflicts of interest in research projects.
A conflict of interest arises in a situation in which an actual, potential or perceived conflict exists that cause undue influence over judgment associated with institutional responsibilities such as performing research, reporting research results, or mentoring students. Examples of conflicts of interest may include receiving income from equity interests in a publicly traded corporation or a non-publicly traded corporation or entity (such as stocks, stock options or other ownership interests), property rights (such as patents or copyrights), consulting fees, or reimbursements of travel from third party entities that appears to relate to university responsibilities (except from U.S. institution of higher education, federal, state or local government agencies).
UMBC researchers have regulatory and ethical obligations to protect the rights and safety of individuals who participate in research. Conflicts of interest related to research involving human research subjects pose special concerns. Investigators conducting human subjects research can have conflicts of interests, including financial conflicts of interest if they or their family stand to benefit as a result of their human subjects research. Financial interests held by those conducting or sponsoring the research may compromise or appear to compromise the fulfillment of those ethical obligations and the well-being of the research subjects, as well as the integrity of the related research.
Please follow this link for more information –Research compliance feedback and reporting research concerns
For more information, please review UMBCs conflict of interest policies and procedures to disclose as well as manage activities that involve or appear to involve a conflict.