TOOLBOX TOOLS Declaration of conflicts

Declaration of conflicts

A Declaration of Interest (DoI) form should be completed by research grant applicants and ad hoc peer reviewers of research grant applications. An annual DoI should be completed by members of standing selection committees, and staff members of the RFO. The DoI should capture any financial, professional or other interest that might be seen to influence a decision or to be affected by the outcome of a decision. In addition, an RFO should state clearly that it does not accept any internal and external interference in the selection of grant applications, on its committee members, peer reviewers and staff, for example by political or commercial parties. A RIPP should also explain how it will prevent and sanction such interference.

Tools
Guideline
Ethics Charter and Code of Conduct for Research Assessment – Fonds Nationale de la Recherche Luxemburg
To establish a basic code of good conduct to be followed by the actors involved in overseeing, managing and handling programmes run by the Fonds Nationale de la Recherche Luxemburg (FNR), and particularly in the scientific review and assessment process.
Guideline
Conflicts of interest policy – Wellcome Trust
To increase the impact of research outputs by encouraging engagement with industry and government, and ensuring that potential conflicts of interest are identified and properly managed.
Guideline
Integrity and conflicts of interest – The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
To stipulate how to determine inappropriate involvement in the assessment procedure ordecision-making processes, and what to do if there is a risk of it happening.
Guideline
Code for Dealing with Personal Interests – Dutch Research Council
To ensure that no one involved in the grant application decision-making process allows any personal interests they may have to influence the task they are performing for the Dutch Council.
Guideline
Guidelines for research funders on defining and preventing unjustified interferences from funders, political and commercial actors (CC BY 4.0)
The recommendations in this guideline concern what measures research funding organizations can take to define unjustified interferences, ensuring transparency and integrity in their procedures, and preventing unjustified interferences by funders themselves, political, and commercial actors.