A message from Quinton Johnson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Compliance
During April, the Conflict of Interest (COI) Program will move to an annual disclosure model. You will receive an additional notification when the AIR system updates are live.
If you are involved in the design, conduct, or reporting of sponsored or human subjects research, this means that you will:
- complete your annual disclosure form during the yearly disclosure period, and
- update your annual disclosure within 30 days of a change in their interests.
COI training will be fully integrated into the disclosure workflow. Most researchers will complete their training and disclosure in under 10 minutes.
What you need to do
When notified, complete your new annual disclosure form.
After this transition, the COI Office will use your annual disclosure to review all your incoming award and IRB submissions. If your disclosure is not on file, those reviews may be delayed.
In future years, your disclosure form will prepopulate from your previously reported information, so updates will be quick and easy.
Policy update
The University’s new Policy on Individual Conflicts of Interest in Research will align management plans with the U.S. Public Health Service definition for Financial Conflicts of Interest. The COI Office will contact researchers with management plans to transition them into the new model.
Why this matters
This change constitutes a significant outcomeof UNC’sResearch Roadmap. The move to an annual disclosure model will reduce the number of disclosures by twelve-fold and the number of management plans by five-fold. By adopting an annual disclosure model, we return valuable time to researchers, while still receiving the information necessary to uphold the highest level of integrity and compliance.
Resources to support you
- Transition Webpage and FAQs
- AIR 7.0 Fresh AIR System Walkthrough
- We will release an updated COI Website, schedule Office Hours, and release the COI policies at the launch date.
We welcome your questions and feedback.
- Contact the Conflict of Interest Office for help with your disclosure or to request a visit to your department or team.