Posted September 2, 2021 by Tiffany Lee
A new disclosure process for conflicts of interest (COI) and conflicts of commitment (COC) takes effect Sept. 13. The new process will be facilitated in NuRamp and replaces the old Interest and Outside Activity Reporting Form, or IOARF, process in NUgrant. Several changes and improvements have been made to this process, which include:
- The form will no longer be called the IOARF under the Interest and Activity Management module. Rather, it will be called the COI/COC Disclosure, or “Disclosure.”
- The forms provide improved instructions, definitions and information regarding why certain questions are asked. However, researchers should be aware that some language is more vague in order to accommodate at least four University of Nebraska entities: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska Central Administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney.
- More forms have been added to better accommodate disclosure.
- Briefly, one disclosure form will be completed annually. Required updates will be completed via a change request form.
To minimize disruption to campus during the rollout, NUgrant users with an IOARF – whether the form is under review or already approved – will have their information automatically moved to NuRamp, with availability starting Sept. 13. Personnel will receive notifications and reminders for completion of their annual disclosure according to previous expiration dates in NUgrant. New users who have not completed an IOARF previously, and need to complete one, should start a new disclosure form in NuRamp beginning Sept. 13.
To assist with this transition and educate the campus community, Research Compliance Services has published new guidance information on multiple COI topics. The COI A-Z Guidance webpage covers many useful topics. Some examples are:
- COI/COC Best Practices: This includes a Department/College Disclosure Review Guide document to assist those in the departments and colleges in reviewing and identifying potential COI/COC issues.
- COI/COC Submission, Review and Management Process
- Institutional COIs
- Foreign Influence/Talent Programs
- Management Plans and Oversight Agreements
- Startups and other Small Ventures
- Student/Trainee Involvement in Outside Activities
- Transparency in Research – Federal Agency Biosketch/Other Support Disclosure Requirements
- Use of University Resources
Please email unlcoi@unl.edu or call 402-472-6965 with questions or to request further information about this process.
