Conflict of Interest and Commitment Office

Welcome to the Emory University Office of Conflict of Interest and Commitment Office (COI and COC). Our office serves as a resource to the University community on Emory University's Conflict of Interest and Commitment Policy. Conflicts of interest may arise in situations in which an individual’s (or the individual’s family member’s) financial, professional, or other personal considerations may directly or indirectly affect, or have the appearance of affecting, the individual’s professional judgment in exercising any University duty or responsibility.

About the Conflict of Interest and Commitment (COI/COC) Office

The Conflict of Interest and Commitment Office supports the University community in identifying and managing financial conflicts of interest related to the following activities with adherence to policy and guidelines:

• Research
• Scholarly or Educational Activity
• Transactions (including license negotiations in research, subawards, etc.)

Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC)

We work with faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, students, and others who are required to disclose external financial relationships to the University for evaluation. We also work with the Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC) to review and manage financial interests that create conflicts of interest.

The COIC reviews the disclosures of outside activities from investigators listed on the Emory proposal for sponsored research or a sponsored award to determine whether an external activity could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct, or reporting of research. Suppose a potential or actual conflict of interest related to the research, sponsored project, or technology transfer is found. In that case, the committee works with the individual (and the university regents, when applicable) to eliminate, minimize, or manage the conflict.

The goal of the COIC review is to ensure that the personal interests of an individual do not unduly influence his/her primary obligations to the science, sponsor, university, colleagues, or students.

Meet the Team