I completed my COI Annual Disclosure.  Now what?  If I need a management plan, what will it include and what will I need to do?

COI Annual Disclosures undergo a review process to identify whether a conflict of interest exists, and if it does, to manage the conflict. 

How are COI Annual Disclosures reviewed to determine whether a Management Plan is needed?

The COI Administrator is responsible for collecting and reviewing annual disclosures submitted through the Novelution COI Module.  A preliminary review is conducted to determine if there is a potential for a conflict of interest to exist, given the discloser's interests and activities with external entities, and their existing relationships with other NDSU employees or students.  The COI Administrator may consult with the discloser to obtain additional information or to clarify information in a COI Annual Disclosure.

If the Annual Disclosure does not show any relationships or activities that present the potential for a COI, the review will be completed at this stage.

If the COI Administrator determines that there is a potential COI, the disclosure will be referred for secondary review.

Secondary review is typically conducted at the monthly COI Committee meeting but may at times be conducted through expedited review procedures.  Management of common scenarios generally results in a Management Plan using one of the standard templates.  More complicated COIs require the committee to determine how to manage the conflict, including drafting a management plan which specifically addresses any unusual circumstances. To assist in these reviews, the COIC may involve representatives from the discloser's department, Research and Creative Activity, and/or seek legal guidance as necessary.