Notice Number: NOT-OD-08-063

Key Dates
Release Date: April 10, 2008

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Extramural Research (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm)

This Notice announces the availability of updated and expanded FAQs related to the Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for which PHS Funding is Sought as described in Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, Subpart F (for grants and cooperative agreements) and Responsible Prospective Contractors as described in Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 94 (for contracts).

Given the increasing complexity of the financial interests held by biomedical researchers, the Public Health Service (PHS) and the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) published two regulations in 1995 establishing standards and procedures to be followed by institutions that apply for research funding from PHS agencies, including the NIH. The regulation is aimed at ensuring that the design, conduct, or reporting of research funded under grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts will not be biased by any conflicting financial interest of the investigators responsible for the research.

As part of NIH’s continuing educational efforts to improve and enhance compliance with FCOI requirements, we compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the implementation of these regulations. We hope these will clarify issues that may arise. The FAQs may be accessed on the Office of Extramural Research, Conflict of Interest Page at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/coi/index.htm.

Inquiries

Grants:
Division of Grants Compliance and Oversight
Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration, OER
National Institutes of Health
Telephone: 301-435-0949
Email: FCOICompliance@mail.nih.gov

Contracts:
Darryl S. Grant
Procurement Analyst
Division of Acquisition Policy and Evaluation
Office of Acquisition Management and Policy
Phone: (301) 496-2874
Email: grantda@od.nih.gov