You have been informed by the Conflict of Interest in Research Office that you have a financial conflict of interest related to research you are conducted. What happens next?

The first thing to know is DON'T PANIC. (Would be nice to have a graphic here.)

Financial conflicts of interest are common at research universities across the country. To some extent, they are inevitable.  Academic researchers and industry have a long history of collaborating, and these collaborations can provide mutual benefit by contributing  to a university's research mission and helping to focus the research emphasis of industry. 

More importantly, universities are responsible for fueling economic development and transferring discoveries to the private sector.  Universities commercialize their technologies by licensing discoveries to established companies or to companies started by academic inventors.     

At the University of Iowa, we seek to minimize the adverse affects of conflict of interest in research and to advise faculty and staff on how to mitigate, manage, or if necessary, eliminate those conflicts.  We are committed to complying with federal regulations and University policies related to disclosure, review and management of financial interests. 

We are here to help you, so please contact us for assistance.