What is a financial interest?
A financial interest is anything of economic value, including a fiduciary relationship with an outside entity. Financial interests are the most important component or components of a conflict of interest for researchers. Some examples include, but are certainly not limited to: • Salaried or unsalaried positions with the sponsor or entity • Scientific advisory board memberships • Vested or non-vested stock or stock options • Gifts • Loans • Travel reimbursements • Income received through honoraria or consulting Financial interests do not include monies derived from licensing fees or royalty income paid to UC by the research sponsor. A sponsor’s support for a research project, such as salary support paid by UCSD from the grant or the reimbursement of study-specific travel costs, is not considered a financial interest.
A “Financial Interest” is anything of monetary value, including, but not limited to, salary, consulting fees, honoraria, equity interests (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interests), interests in real or personal property, dividends, royalties, rent, capital gains, intellectual property (e.g., patents, copyrights and royalties from such rights, including those paid by Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation (“IURTC”), and forgiveness of debt.
