Overview of Outside Interests

In order to disseminate their knowledge and expertise in research, teaching, and clinical care outside the institution, School of Medicine faculty members and other researchers engage in a variety of outside activities. The institution supports and encourages these activities.  It is important to recognize, however, that the financial interests and time commitment that may be associated with providing advisory services, and engaging in inventorship, entrepreneurship, and related activity have the potential to conflict with one's primary obligations to Johns Hopkins and to impact academic integrity and objectivity.

To address these risks and to comply with federal regulation, the University and School of Medicine have adopted policies to ensure that research, teaching, and clinical practice are not subject to real or apparent risks associated with conflicts of interest and commitment.  These policies are administered by the Outside Interests division of the Office of Policy Coordination.

School of Medicine faculty members and investigators conducting research at and under the auspices of the School are required to disclose their outside activities and interests to the Office of Policy Coordination for review.  Specific disclosure requirements may vary depending on one's employment or appointment status, one's relationship to research, and other factors.  All disclosures are submitted electronically via the online disclosure system, JHU eDisclose.

View this webinar to learn more about the revised Public Health Service (PHS) financial conflict of interest regulations, effective August 24, 2012.  The regulations affect JHU and SOM policies regarding disclosure requirements of faculty and investigators as well as the review, management and reporting of financial conflicts of interest by the institution.

If you have any questions, please contact the Outside Interests Division of the Office of Policy Coordination at (410) 361-8667 or e-mail us at [email protected].  We are available to give presentations about conflict of interest, conflict of commitment and/or outside services to departments, laboratories or faculty groups.  We are also available to meet individually with faculty and staff who have general questions about outside activities, conflict of interest and/or conflict of commitment.