Conflict of Interest
Qatar University recognizes the right of its faculty, employees, students and their dependents to accumulate wealth. However, they must make sure that this right does not cause them to fail at their obligations towards the University.
A conflict of interest exists when research personnel’s financial, personal or professional interests would potentially or actually compromise the person’s professional judgment in conducting or reporting research. A conflict of interest also exists when it may be perceived as compromising the person’s professional judgment in conducting or reporting research. Financial, personal or professional interests include those of the research personnel and those of their immediate family.
It is the policy of the University that all perceived, potential or actual conflicts of interests be disclosed to the Office of Research Support. Faculty, staff or students who are unclear as to whether a conflict of interest exists should choose the disclosure path.
The disclosure must be made at the time the conflict of interest arises, or it is recognized that a conflict of interest might be perceived.
The Disclosure of Conflict of Interest Form must be filled out and all the information required on the form must be communicated to the Office of Research Support.
Types of Disclosure
Annual Disclosure
All research personnel must fill out a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form annually. Each department head is responsible for ensuring that all newly appointed individuals file a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form within one month of their employment with Qatar University and renew this form annually.
Material Change in Circumstances
All researchers must amend their annual Conflict of Interest Form within 30 days of any material changes in their financial circumstances and interests conflicting with their duties and obligations towards Qatar University.
Sponsored Project-Specific Disclosures
All researchers for a proposal must declare if they have any proposal specific financial interests that could conflict with any aspect of the research project. Each researcher must submit the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form at the time the proposal is submitted to the Office of Research Support.
