Conflicts of Interest in Research

University Policy 54 governs conflict of disclosure and managements for all university personnel regardless of funding source.

 The Office of Research Administration also utilizes Supplemental Procedures for Externally Funded Projects.

The Research Compliance Office is now using InfoEd for Project-Specific Conflict Of Interest and Supplemental Travel Disclosure submissions and review processing. All new disclosures must be entered and submitted within InfoEd.

All Covered Employees are required to complete a project-specific disclosure for each grant proposal by re-certifying/updating their annual disclosure submitted through InfoEd. This requirement is in addition to the annual disclosure requirement described in Section A.1. of University Policy 54 Additional details on the completion and submission of project-specific disclosures are found in the procedures supplemental to this Policy.

Please note: Investigators who receive funding from a Public Health Service agency (includes NIH, CDC, HRSA, etc) must also disclose any reimbursed or sponsored travel to the ORA prior to the submission of their project to the external agency.  This is also included in the annual disclosure form and can be re-certified/updated at any time that a new additional external agency is identified.

You can re-certify/update your disclosure as follows:

1. Login to the InfoEd Portal
2. Select "Re-Certify or Update Disclosure" on the Home Page
3. Complete the Disclosure and click "Certify and Submit"

For helpful tutorials to guide you through the InfoEd COI submission processes, please see our COI program website.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the COI Office at coi@wcu.edu.

All externally funded investigators must undergo conflict of interest training programs every four years.

WCU's training is offered through the CITI Program, which may be accessed at www.citiprogram.org.

• Detailed instructions for registering, affiliating with WCU, and selecting the correct course
• Downloading a CITI course completion report

Note: The requirement to complete research security training will be part of the 2025 Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), so it will be required when the 2025 PAPPG becomes effective. Per the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022," senior/key personnel are required to take the training within one year of a research and development (R&D) application.