E. Sponsored Projects Review and approval of actual or potential conflicts of interest that are related to sponsored projects and technology transfers shall utilize the process prescribed in sub-sections A and B in Section V of this policy. Time constraints will generally make it impossible to deal with conflict of interest issues at the same time that a proposal, grant, or contract is under review for University endorsement. As an option, potential investigators of multiple proposals, grants, or contracts may file a copy of their completed and approved Certification of Filing of Financial Interests Disclosure Statement form with the Director of ORPD, on an annual basis. That document will be reviewed for compliance with this policy whenever a proposal, grant, or contract is submitted for University endorsement. It will be the responsibility of the investigator to update the Financial Interests Disclosure Statement , to receive a new written determination, and to file a new Certification of Filing of Financial Interests Disclosure Statement form with ORPD whenever new reportable significant financial interests are obtained.
Special conditions apply to sponsored grants and contracts involving federal funds.
An actual or potential conflict of interest exists when the reviewing authority reasonably determines that a significant financial interest could affect the design, conduct, or reporting of the research or educational activities funded or proposed for funding to a federal agency. If a conflict of interest is believed to exist, the reviewing authority may choose to prohibit involvement in the proposed project or to attach conditions which will provide management of the conflict or oversight of the project. Prior to expenditure of any funds, and if required to do so by funding agency policy, the University shall notify the funding agency regarding the conflict of interest and provide assurance that the conflict of interest is being managed, reduced or eliminated in accordance with agency requirements. In the event that restrictions or conditions are imposed relative to a federal grant, the University shall inform the federal agency of any inability to manage satisfactorily a conflict of interest. The University of North Dakota will maintain records of all financial disclosures and of all actions taken to resolve conflicts of interest until at least three years after the later of the termination or completion of the award to which they relate, or the resolution of any government action involving those records.