U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation: Grant Terms & Conditions: 125.0 Conflict of Interest (August 2005)

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125.0 Conflict of Interest (August 2005)

All POs shall adhere to the highest ethical standards in all matters related to CRDF award, and shall assure that the PI/PDs and other Project Participants adhere to those standards.
For purposes of this Article--
1. “Conflict of Interest” means a family or other personal relationship, a business or financial interest, or any other relationship, interest or activity that;
  1. impairs (or might impair) his/her objectivity in performing his/her obligations under this Agreement;
  2. makes him/her unable to render impartial assistance or advice under this Agreement; or
  3. gives him/her an unfair competitive advantage.
2. “Interest” means a relationship of any kind from which a person or organization derives (or might derive) pecuniary or in-kind benefits.
No PO, PI/PD or Project Participant may participate in any decision involving the obligation of Project funds or the use or disposition of Project Resources if he/she knows, or reasonably should know, that such participation involves an actual or potential Conflict or Interest, or the appearance of such a Conflict of Interest.
To implement this requirement POs will:
1. Disclose promptly to CRDF any close family relationship or interest that may constitute or create a Conflict of Interest or the appearance of a Conflict of Interest;
2. Refrain from participating in, and from using his/her personal influence in connection with, decisions where such participation may involve a Conflict of Interest or the appearance of a Conflict of Interest except:
  1. To provide information when requested, or
  2. To provide information known to him/her indicating that a proposed or existing transaction could be contrary to this policy.
3. Refrain from dealing on behalf of CRDF with organizations or persons on transactions involving the obligation of Project funds or the use or disposition of Project Resources except after full disclosure and with the express written authorization of CRDF Grant Representative.
4. Assure that PI/PDs and other Project Participants comply with the requirements of this Article.
POs will monitor their relationships and interests, and those of the PI/PDs and other Project Participants, on an ongoing basis and will report any relationships or interests that might violate the provisions of this Article.
Examples of situations that violate the provisions of this Article include, but are not limited, to the following:
1. A PI/PD participates in the selection of a vendor owned, in whole or in part, by a PI/PD family member or close relative.
2. A PO selects a vendor in which the PO has a significant ownership or other interest or otherwise stands to benefit financially through the transaction.
3. The inclusion of members of the immediate family of the Principal Investigator as recipients of financial support under the CRDF award. “Members of the immediate family” shall mean persons related linearly to the Grantee, e.g. grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, etc., or to the Grantee's spouse as well as siblings of the Grantee, or the spouse of any of their lineal relatives.
4. PI/PD provides financial support under this Agreement to an organization before which the PI/PD has a pending grant application.
Failure to strictly comply with this article may result in the immediate termination of this agreement and the repayment of all funds paid by CRDF to or on behalf of the PO.