Conflict of Interest Training

All Investigators and senior/key personnel are required to take PHS-compliant training prior to engaging in PHS-funded research for new awards and at least every four years while engaging in PHS-funded research. Training is also required immediately if an Investigator or senior/key personnel is new to the institution, if the UC policies change in a way that affects Investigator and senior/key personnel requirements or if UC finds that an Investigator or senior/key personnel is noncompliant with any policy or management plan. This training requirement also applies for those funding agencies that have adopted the PHS FCOI regulations.

On October 4, 2021, the University of California launched an online Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers.  The Ethics and Compliance Briefing satisfies two mandatory training requirements, the UC training requirement that all researchers be trained periodically to recognize and deal with ethical issues and conflict of interest situations that may arise during their work, as well as the Conflict of Interest training requirement by the National Institutes of Health. 

Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers (ECBR) by UCOP

University employees (mandated and identified by the UC Office of Ethics, Compliance and Audit Services) who received a portion of their salary from extramural funding sources are required by UC Office of the President (UCOP) to complete the UC Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers (ECBR).

The course is available online through the UC Learning Center and was developed by the UC Office of Ethics, Compliance and Audit Services by UCOP. It was designed to raise awareness of the University of California Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct and to convey important information about conflict of interest (COI) regulations when accepting extramural research funds. In addition, this briefing satisfies the PHS FCOI training requirement.

All identified UC San Diego employees received an email from the UC Learning Center with a link to the online training. You can also search Blink – Personal Tools to access the UC Learning Center once you log in with your single sign-on the "Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researcher (ECBR)," training will be listed in your “To Do List/Assigned Training” to access the Briefing click the course. 

Subrecipients (i.e., Non-UCSD Employees who are listed as Investigator or Senior/Key personnel on outgoing subaward issued by UC San Diego) who are relying on the UC PHS policy, must complete the UC Conflict of Interest Training for Public Health Service Investigators course via the Conflict of Interest website.

1. The Subrecipients must go through the training slides to complete the course.
2. The Subrecipients must follow the directions provided on the last slide of the course to submit confirmation of completion to the COI Office.

• Roles and Services of the Conflict of Interest (COI) Office (log-in required)  
  Basic overview of the roles and services of the Conflict of Interest (COI) Office.

• What is a conflict of interest (COI) in research and other related activities? (log-in required) 
  This introductory video will provide information on what is a conflict of interest in research and other related activities.

• What happens when a Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure is submitted to the Independent Review Committee (IRC)? (log-in required) 
  Informational video on what happens when a Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure is referred to the Independent Review Committee (IRC).

• PHS Training Requirements - Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for which PHS Funding is Sought (42 CFR Part 50 Subpart F) (2011 Revised Regulations)
• Announcement of COIR Training from Sandy Brown, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research (PDF)