Office of the Vice Provost for Research

The Office of the Vice Provost for Research is directly responsible for the University’s Research-Related Conflicts of Interest (RCOI) Program. Federal regulations guide Penn RCOI policies.

RCOIs may exist when financial considerations have the potential to compromise or bias professional judgment or objectivity regarding the design, conduct or reporting of research. The University’s RCOI policies are distinct from School-based annual extramural activity reporting policies and are designed to reduce, manage, and/or eliminate identified financial conflicts related to specific research projects. The University has two policies governing RCOI, the Financial Disclosure Policy for Research and Sponsored Projects and the Financial Disclosure and Presumptively Prohibited Conflicts for Investigators Participating in Clinical Trials.

When required under Penn’s RCOI policies, disclosure of financial interests should be submitted electronically through the Financial Interest Disclosure Electronic System (FIDES). 

Disclosures are initially reviewed by the OVPR and may be referred to the Conflict of Interest Standing Committee (CISC) for further review and recommendations.