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Conflict of Interest Advisory Memo

Things to keep in mind related to Outside Activities and Interests

  • You should maintain separation between your Drexel responsibilities and your work with external entities. 
  • It is not legal to use Drexel’s name or non-profit resources to advance the commercial prospects of a for-profit entity. 
  • Time dedicated to Outside Activities should be limited to the maximum allowed by the Faculty Handbook here. Staff should consult with their immediate Supervisor. 
  • Each of the following represents a significant financial interest (SFI) that carries Principal Investigator (PI) restrictions unless approved in advance when related to projects and protocols (research at Drexel): 
  • Having equity in a private company/entity (any amount); 
  • Receiving income >$50K from any entity; 
  • Stock ownership >$50K in value; 
  • Equity/Stock options (any amount); 
  • Projects/protocols involving optioned/licensed Intellectual Property (IP). 
  • It is important to involve DOSI-COI in discussions at the time projects are being planned when a SFI is present. 
  • You must not disclose non-public or confidential research information to any for-profit entity except as allowed by agreements executed through the University.  
  • Always disclose Outside Interests internally and externally. Disclosure is recommended when the objectivity of your research, presentations/publications, or other decisions (i.e. purchasing) may be called into question if you do not volunteer the information. 
  • Disclose your Outside Interests to each student, fellow, or staff person whom you supervise when their work or degree could be related to one or more of your Outside Interests. 
  • All outside professional activities that may involve a non-faculty member of the Drexel community working with a Drexel faculty member and reporting to that Drexel faculty member as part of their primary commitment requires review and approval by: 
    • the appropriate Dean(s), including of the graduate or undergraduate school as applicable if the non-faculty member is in a student/trainee role. 
    • the department chair, if the non-faculty member is an employee of the University. 
  • When listed as key personnel on a proposal related to an Outside Interest, the electronic grant attestation should reference the company/entity name and describe the relationship. 
  • Any Drexel work related to an outside entity must be performed under a Sponsored Research Agreement regardless of the funding source. 
  • Drexel policy limits participation in Speaker Bureaus and non-CME lectures and video/audio productions.  Participation in these promotional medical education activities is only allowed if certain criteria are met.  For more information you may access the Drexel speaking policy here. 
  • Remember to disclose Outside Interests as appropriate on Other Support and BioSketch documents. 
  • Please keep in mind the continued concerns regarding undue influence on federally-funded research by foreign entities. Failure to disclose foreign activities and relationships may jeopardize eligibility for future federal funding to Drexel University. 
  • If you are federally funded, you must report many types of externally sponsored travel. Report sponsored travel and review FAQs here. 
  • Remember to update your COI Form within 30 days of any changes to your Outside Interests. 

UPDATED 12/6/2023