Can an incorporated company started by a university researcher be involved in a network?
Yes. However, the researcher would have to declare his/her conflicts of interest, and could not be present during discussions and decisions at the management level related to the review and budget of the research projects in which his/her company is involved. The network’s Board of Directors or its conflict of interest sub-committee is charged with the responsibility of managing conflict of interest, and determining and implementing the appropriate course of action. The goal is to avoid situations where there is a conflict of interest, or a perception of conflict of interest, without discouraging the entrepreneurial spirit of researchers.
