Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest exists when an individual's private interests (such as financial gain, personal relationships, or professional affiliations) could potentially compromise or have the appearance of compromising their professional judgment or objectivity in conducting research.

Examples of financial conflicts of interest often include:

  • Holding equity (stock or stock options) in a company that could benefit from the research outcomes.
  • Receiving substantial income or compensation from a company involved in the research.
  • Having intellectual property rights (patents, copyrights) related to the research.

Principal Investigators

Federal regulations, state laws and TCCD policies recognize that researchers may have financial interests in research sponsors and/or in entities with business interests closely related to their research.

When conducting research involving human subjects, researchers should submit financial disclosures prior to or concurrent with their application for IRB approval of a new project and at the time of continuing review.

For New Projects, disclosure is required if:

  • The study is PHS-funded.
  • The study is privately funded or supported.
  • The study is FDA-regulated.
  • Any Investigator has a significant financial interest when the research is unfunded and not FDA-regulated.

IRB Members

An IRB member has a conflict of interest if they, their spouse, or dependent child:

  • Serve as PI or Co-PI on the protocol,
  • Hold a significant financial interest in the sponsor or its agent (see TCCD’s Conflict of Interest Policy),
  • Serve as an officer or director of the sponsor or its agent, or
  • Self-identify as having a conflict for any other reason.

Members are responsible for identifying and avoiding actual or perceived conflicts. If assigned a protocol where a conflict exists, the member must notify the IRB Chair immediately so it can be reassigned. Members should review assignments promptly to avoid delays.

IRB review occurs in three phases:

  1. Discussion
  2. Deliberation
  3. Action (vote)

Members with a conflict may remain during discussion (at the Chair’s discretion) to provide clarification but must leave for deliberation and voting. Meeting minutes will note by name when a member is absent due to conflict.

Members with a conflict must also complete and submit the Conflicts Disclosure Statement to the IRB Chair.

Contact

For more information, contact TCCD Institutional Review Board at irb@tccd.edu.

Updated October 21, 2025