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Credibility of research most valuable asset Editor's note: Among MUSC's most valuable assets is the credibility and integrity of its research. Conflict of interest, both actual and perceived, threatens this asset by eroding public trust and confidence in university-sponsored activities. To protect the credibility and integrity of the university's faculty and staff, a review committee maintains oversight of any actual or perceived conflicts arising directly or indirectly from sponsored research. This is an explanation of the Conflict of Interest Review Committee's function and procedures. Background/History A conflict of interest refers to those situations in which financial or other personal considerations may compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an investigator's professional judgement in conducting or reporting research. The Medical University of South Carolina has a responsibility to manage, reduce or eliminate conflicts of interest that may be presented by such financial or personal interests. In order to accomplish this, the university requires that investigators disclose any significant financial interests that would reasonably appear to affect sponsored research.   In September 1995, guidelines on conflicts of interest were approved by the Board of Trustees. These guidelines defined the Medical University of South Carolina policies and procedures regarding conflicts of interest arising from sponsored projects.    The purpose of these policies and procedures is to protect the credibility and integrity of the university's faculty and staff, so that public trust and confidence in university sponsored activities is ensured.  In keeping with these policies, a university Conflict of Interest (COI) Review Committee was created to review and assess actual and perceived conflicts of interest.    This is a university-level standing committee representing the College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Institute of Psychiatry, and ex-officials from General Counsel, Foundation for University Research Development, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, College of Graduate Studies, and Office of Research Integrity.    The committee is formally charged with maintaining oversight of any actual or perceived conflicts arising directly or indirectly from sponsored research. The committee reports to the vice president for academic affairs and provost. Procedures The committee is charged 1.) To establish and conduct a thorough assessment of all research applications, with accompanying disclosure forms, submitted to the committee by the director of the Office of Research Administration; and 2.) To assess and report any actual conflict of interest or violation of the university conflict of interest policy to the vice president for academic affairs and provost.   A flow chart to describe the process for carrying out these reviews is shown to the right. This flow chart illustrates how a faculty member would, after consultation with his or her department chair, initiate the review process by submitting a proposal to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP).   The proposal is then reviewed by ORSP to determine whether the proposed work meets the threshold for COI review. This threshold for COI review is ordinarily $10,000 or a 5 percent equity in the entity providing funding.   Once the proposal is referred to the COI committee, then a review process is initiated. Two members are assigned to each project. A letter from the COI committee chair will go out to the PI, identifying the reviewers and the proposal, explaining the purpose of the review, and stating that if the initial review indicates a reasonable possibility for a conflict of interest, then the PI may be asked to come to a meeting of the MUSC Conflict of Interest Review Committee to review this proposal. The reviewers also may request additional information about the proposed project, including a plan to manage any potential conflicts of interest.   Once the review is complete, the information and the plan, if required, are sent to the COI committee for approval and to set an audit timetable. If the project is funded, then the audit timetable will be used to monitor the project once it begins.   If you have any questions or concerns, contact the chair of the COI committee, Susan DesHarnais, Ph.D., at 792-7909.