The University of New Mexico (UNM) community members are engaged in many contractual, consulting and advisory relationships with other universities, government agencies and private sector entities. While UNM encourages these relationships for their contributions to research, education, technological advancement and professional development, it is also committed to ensuring that these outside activities are conducted with integrity and uphold the University's core mission. UNM employees must be mindful of their obligation to devote their primary professional efforts and allegiance to UNM, and must not allow other outside activities or financial interests to interfere or significantly conflict with this responsibility.
Conflicts of interest (COI) are inevitable for investigators in modern research universities and do not imply any impropriety on the part of the investigator. A COI may exist despite the highest standards of conduct and candor. Most conflicts can be successfully resolved without impeding research activities. Conflicts of interest may occur when an investigator's private interests (such as outside professional or financial relationships) may compete with his or her professional obligations to UNM. In a research university setting these interests can compromise, or be perceived as compromising important academic values, research integrity, the protection of human subjects or the University mission. At UNM, it is essential for all faculty, staff and students to understand how these divergent interests can become problematic.
Conflicts of interest often arise from two fundamental goals: to push the boundaries of knowledge and to transfer that knowledge to the private sector for the benefit of the public. For example, there may be significant personal financial incentives related to patenting and licensing an invention, or outside consulting or other interests. While it is not inherently unacceptable for investigators to receive financial reward from these endeavors, the potential for financial gain presents risks for both the investigator and the institution. The perception is that such incentives provide opportunities to profit from research, which might harm research objectivity or may appear to affect an investigator's judgment concerning the treatment or enrollment of human subjects, or may potentially bias the publication and presentation of research data. Moreover, considerations of personal financial gain must not influence the decisions or actions of individuals in carrying out their University responsibilities towards students or others whose work depends on the direction of the investigator. The appearance of such conflicts may reflect negatively on the University, compromise funding, and erode public trust in research enterprise. It is essential, therefore, that such conflicts are identified, and then managed, mitigated or eliminated.
UNM must protect itself and its faculty, staff and students from any of the following allegations: