SUBJECT:  Changes in Reporting Requirements for Conflict of Interest

This Notice is provided to announce changes in reporting requirements for the following:

1. The State of California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has issued a new Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators (Form 700-U) disclosure form. This form replaces the Principal Investigator's Statement of Economic Interests (Form 730-U) and is effective immediately. The new form and accompanying instructions are available in a fillable PDF format on the Office of Contract and Grant Administration website at http://ocga2.ucsd.edu.

The Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators is a form mandated by the FPPC on which principal investigators and co-investigators disclose certain financial interests when receiving non-governmental funding in the form of a contract, grant or gift. This form must be filed before final acceptance of the above type of a contract, grant, or gift and when funding is renewed. There are some research sponsors that are exempt from the University's non-governmental entity financial disclosure requirement. The list of Sponsors Of Research Exempted From University Non-Governmental Entity Financial Disclosure Requirement can be found on the Office of Contract and Grant Administration website at http://ocga2.ucsd.edu. The Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators is also referred to as a financial disclosure statement in University policy and related implementing guidelines. Principal Investigators and co-investigators must disclose whether or not they have a direct or indirect financial interest in the sponsor of research which is funded in whole or in part through a contract or grant of $500 or more with a non-governmental entity; or by a gift from a non-governmental entity which is earmarked by the donor for a specific research project or a specific principal investigator, provided the amount of the gift, or the aggregate over a 12-month period, from the same donor is $500 or more.

2. The Conflict of Interest Office has also issued a new Addendum to Investigator’s Statement of Economic Interests form effective immediately. The new Addendum to Investigator’s Statement of Economic Interests form is to be completed only after a financial relationship has been disclosed on the 700-U form. The new form is available in a fillable PDF format on the Office of Contract and Grant Administration website at http://ocga2.ucsd.edu.

3. The Conflict of Interest Office has revised the Disclosure of Financial Interests Related to Industry-University Cooperative Research (IUCR) Program Sponsored Projects (Form IUCR Cover Sheet) effective immediately. The new Statement of Economic Interests Related to Industry-University Cooperative Research (IUCR) Program Sponsored Projects (Form IUCR Cover Sheet) and accompanying instructions are available in a fillable PDF format on the Office of Contract and Grant Administration website at http://ocga2.ucsd.edu. The PI and Co-Investigator must also submit the Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators (Form 700-U) along with the Form IUCR Cover Sheet for IUCR Program sponsored projects. In addition, the same Addendum to Investigator’s Statement of Economic Interests used for nongovernmental sponsored projects will be used for Industry-University sponsored projects in which the investigator has disclosed a financial interest.

4. The Conflict of Interest Office has revised the Disclosure of Financial Interests Related to Federally-Sponsored Projects (Form 9510 Cover Sheet) for federal (PHS/NIH or NSF) (which includes SBIR and STTR) sponsored projects effective immediately. The new Statement of Economic Interests Related to Federally-Sponsored Projects (Form 9510 Cover Sheet) and accompanying instructions are available in a fillable PDF format on the Office of Contract and Grant Administration website at http://ocga2.ucsd.edu. This form is revised periodically to ensure that investigators understand the federal disclosure requirements and properly disclose their related financial interests. In addition, the same Addendum to Investigator’s Statement of Economic Interests used for nongovernmental sponsored projects will be used for federally sponsored projects in which the investigator has a financial relationship with a company that could benefit from the federal project.

For proposal and other actions in process, the Conflict of Interest Office will accept the old disclosure forms until January 31, 2003. As of February 1, 2003, the new disclosure forms must be used.

If you have any questions regarding the Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators (Form 700-U), the Statement of Economic Interests Related to Industry-University Cooperative Research (IUCR) Program Sponsored Projects (Form IUCR Cover Sheet), Statement of Economic Interests Related to Federally-Sponsored Projects (Form 9510) or the Addendum to Investigator’s Statement of Economic Interests, please call the Conflict of Interest Office at (858) 534-6465.

                                                Delia H. Talamantez
                                                Director
                                                Conflict of Interest Office