If this activity meets the definition of an Outside Commitment, it should be disclosed for conflict of commitment review. The Outside Commitment Decision Tree on our Disclosure Requirements webpage may be of assistance in making this determination.
A non-profit education organization has asked me to participate in a curriculum design project. The project aligns with my expertise and research. They would pay travel and a stipend. Is this a COI/COC?
If you are an Investigator and receive a travel reimbursement/sponsorship and/or stipend of any amount from a foreign entity, this must be disclosed as a Foreign Interest for conflict of interest review.
"I have been invited to serve on the board of a local non-profit with no stipend involved. Do I need to report this?"
If you are an Investigator, this activity should be disclosed for conflict of interest review if it meets the definition of a Significant Personnel Interest. Significant Personal Interests are any managerial, professional, or Fiduciary Position you (or a Family Member) hold in any outside entity, whether or not you or your family is compensated. This can include officer, director, and board positions.
"I have been asked to serve on an advisory board with a non-education organization - no stipend is involved. It is a STEM organization and I am not a STEM expert. Do I need to file a COC?"
If you are an Investigator, this activity should be disclosed for conflict of interest review if it meets the definition of a Significant Personnel Interest. Significant Personal Interests are any managerial, professional, or Fiduciary Position you (or a Family Member) hold in any outside entity, whether or not you or your family is compensated. This can include officer, director, and board positions.
"While on sabbatical, a foreign university wants to pay my travel and lodging costs (under5K) to work on a co-authored manuscript with a colleague at that university."
If you are an Investigator, this is a Foreign Interest that must be disclosed for conflict of interest review. Foreign Interests are:
"Is serving on an advisory board for an NSF grant a conflict? Usually a stipend is involved."
Generally speaking, this often falls within one’s institutional duties and responsibilities. If this is outside of an individual’s institutional duties and responsibilities and meets the definition of an Outside Commitment, it will need to be disclosed for conflict of commitment review.
"An institute at another US university wants to pay a stipend to consult on test development items. The total amount would be less than $5000."
Because the stipend is less than $5,000 and from a U.S. institution, this does not need to be disclosed for conflict of interest review. This may, however, need to be disclosed for conflict of commitment review if it is an Outside Commitment, which can include fee-for-service activity and Research.