Disclosure of Foreign Relationships
Conflict of Interest/Conflict of Commitment
The US Government has expressed serious concerns regarding inappropriate influence by foreign entities over federally funded research. Several federal agencies have indicated that failure to disclose foreign relationships and activities may jeopardize eligibility for future funding.
Michigan Tech and all other US educational institutions must comply with federal reporting and disclosure requirements. Michigan Tech’s Conflict of Interest Policy (Board of Trustees Policy 4.7 Conflict of Interest Policy) and Procedures (Faculty Handbook Appendix B) require the disclosure of activities that may create a financial conflict of interest or more generally a conflict of commitment, whether compensated or not, to your immediate supervisor and, under some conditions, to the conflict of interest coordinator. These activities must also occasionally be disclosed to comply with federal guidelines; the National Institutes of Health Grants Policy Statement requires such disclosure on all applications and progress reports, and the National Science Foundation requires disclosure on the Current and Pending support documents accompanying proposals. Also, all US institutions of higher education are required to disclose funding received from foreign sources, including sponsored grants and contracts, to the US Department of Education every six months. More information can be found in Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Any external support or engagement that you would acknowledge in a presentation or publication must generally be disclosed in funding applications and through the University's conflict of interest procedures. It is critical for all members of the campus community to be transparent, particularly with respect to any affiliations with foreign entities. Your disclosure is required by University policy and procedures and for the University to be in compliance with federal guidelines. Only through disclosure can the University advise, assist, and protect you and the integrity of your scholarly activities.
If you have any questions regarding regulations related to collaboration with organizations, individuals in foreign countries, or the transfer of information or materials to foreign countries please contact researchsecurity-l@mtu.edu.
If you have any questions regarding conflict of interest procedures or funding agency disclosure requirements, please contact coic@mtu.edu.
In The News
Delaware university failed to disclose professor's ties to Chinese government while accepting federal research funds
December 19, 2024 - The Lion
"The University of Delaware (UD) reached a settlement agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after allegedly failing to disclose a professor's ties to the Chinese government in violation of federal law"
Researcher Charged with Illegally Using U.S. Grant Funds to Develop Scientific Expertise for China
July 9, 2020 — US Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs
"A rheumatology professor and researcher with strong ties to China has been ordered held without bond to face a charge of grant fraud for not disclosing that he was engaged in a sophisticated scheme to use approximately $4.1 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop China’s expertise in the areas of rheumatology and immunology."
University of Tennessee researcher arrested, charged with wire fraud, making false statements about relationship with Chinese university
February 27, 2020 — WBIR
"Anming Hu was booked into the Blount County jail after federal authorities allege he illegally worked with a Chinese university while also doing UT projects."