Familial Conflict of Interest—Policies and Resources
How to Manage Familial Conflicts of Interest
Many apparent conflicts of interest resulting from researcher family relationships can be managed by following standard university policies.
Family Member Is a Co-Investigator or Co-Participant
Please review the two relevant campus policies below, and then download the sample letter that can be modified and sent to family members who serve as co-investigators or co-participants in a sponsored research project. Some cases may require additional management mechanisms or review, as in the case where human subjects are involved in the research.
- Sample letter from Department Head to co-investigators outlining conflict management mechanisms (familial COI)
- Campus Policy on Employment of Relatives (CAM)
- Conflicts of Interest in Supervisory Relationships (CAM)
Family Member Is Associated With a University Vendor (Owner, Employee, Board Member, Investor, etc.)
Family relationships can sometimes create conflicts of interest relative to the procurement of goods and services. It is important to work with University Purchasing to seek appropriate approvals of procurement of goods or services when there is a familial relationship between a university employee and the vendor.