Conflict of Interest Compliance

Relationships between industry and Columbia faculty and researchers (and Columbia itself) are essential for advancing scientific frontiers and enabling the commercial development of academic discoveries for the benefit of the public. Nonetheless, such relationships cannot be allowed to compromise, or appear to compromise, the integrity of the University’s research, education, clinical or administrative activities.

Conflict of interest (COI) is one aspect of professional integrity that is addressed in a variety of University and CUIMC-wide policies. The purpose of the CUIMC COI Policy is to reinforce some general principles set forth in University policies and to address in detail two areas particularly relevant to CUIMC: clinical care and education. These critical activities must not be compromised by conflict of interest or even the appearance of conflict. This policy does not replace other COI policies, but rather adds to the existing policies which address issues of COI in research and other areas.

All full-time and part-time VP&S faculty and researchers must adhere to all COI policies and complete the annual disclosure by logging into RASCAL.

The deadline for annual disclosure filing is December 15th. Faculty and researchers are encouraged to file earlier in the calendar year. Failure to comply with mandatory policies will prompt a formal review by CUIMC's COI Committee on Education and Clinical Care and recommendation to the Dean of the relevant school and may lead to sanctions up to and including non-renewal.

The following VP&S appointment ranks are required to file an annual CUIMC COI disclosure form: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer/Special Lecturer, Associate, Assistant, Affiliate Physician/Dentist, Senior Research Scientist, Senior Research Scholar, Research Scientist, Research Scholar, Associate Research Scientist, Associate Research Scholar, Postdoc Research Scientist, Postdoc Research Scholar, Senior Staff Associate, Staff Associate, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow, Graduate Research Assistant and Departmental Research Assistant. The requirement extends to adjunct titles as well in the above ranks. 

If you have any questions regarding filing or the CUIMC Conflict of Interest policy, please contact us at:

ps-coi@cumc.columbia.edu