Global Research Track
2019 AER Conference
B05 - Foreign Influence in Research—Foreign Research Support, “Foreign Components,” and Personal Income from Foreign Entities
Susan Stayn, JD
Senior University Counsel, Stanford University
Nicholas A. Wallace, JD
Attorney, Ropes & Gray LLP
Speaker(s)
PHS regulations require the reporting of investigators’ foreign financial interests that create a conflict of interest (including when the financial interest arises from a foreign government or nonprofit institution). The PHS regulations also require reporting of “other support” and “foreign components” of a PHS-supported project. “Foreign components” are defined as any significant scientific element or segment of a project outside the US, either by the recipient or by a researcher employed by a foreign organization. Recent investigation by the NIH and FBI reveal that some research institutions have failed adequately to collect and report this information. What are the consequences of failure to report and how can your institution prevent this? This session will focus on the issues with using NIH grant funds abroad, and use specific recent cases to highlight specific steps organizations can take to protect themselves and their researchers. During this session, speakers and attendees will:
Learning Objectives:
- Review recent investigations of US academic institutions that have failed to adequately report “foreign components” of federally-funded projects
- Examine how PHS regulations and funding agency guidance apply to research conducted abroad
- Consider preventive steps academic institutions can take to ensure foreign research support is conducted in compliance with US law