UT encourages faculty and professional staff to engage in outside professional activities that support the University’s mission, while also being committed to ensuring personal, financial and organizational conflicts of interest do not interfere with the ability to contribute to the advancement of society.
The Conflict of Interest (COI) program provides for a transparent system of disclosure, approval and management of financial interests and outside professional activities, which might otherwise raise concerns about conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment with teaching, research or service responsibilities at the University.
A conflict of interest or commitment is created when personal, financial or outside interests could unduly influence the design, conduct or reporting of research, or interfere with the performance of institutional responsibilities.
To identify and manage conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment, UT Austin requires:
- Prior approval of outside professional activities
- Disclosure of financial interests at time of initial employment, at least annually and within 30 days of a change to financial interests
All faculty and PI-eligible employees of the University must disclose annually in UTRMS-COI. Key personnel on sponsored projects or human subjects research protocols (covered individuals) must also disclose at least annually. Read the disclosure guidelines for more information.